1. In spring, the first month, Zhao's Grand General, Shi Min, wished to wipe out all remaining traces of the Shi clan. Pointing to a prophecy that stated "after Zhao, Li", he changed the name of the state from Zhao to 衛 Wei, and forced all members of the Shi clan to change their surname to Li. A general amnesty was declared, and the reign year changed to Qinglong.

The Grand Governor, Zhao Shu, the Grand Commandant, Zhang Ju, the General of the Center Army, Zhang Chun, the Household Counsellor, Shi Yue, the General Who Protects The Army, Shi Ning, the General of Might and Defense, Zhang Ji, and countless others nobles, ministers, and officials, to the number of ten thousand, fled the city to seek refuge with Shi Zhi in Xiangguo. The Prince of Ruyin, Shi Kun, fled to Jizhou. Many Zhao generals remained at their command posts. The General Who Protects The Army, Zhang Chen, held Fukou, Zhang Hedu held the Shidu weir, the General Who Establishes Virtue, Duan Qin, held Liyang, the General Who Calms The South, Yang Qun, held Sangbi, Liu Guo held Yangcheng, Duan Kan held Chenliu, Yao Yizhong held Retou, and Pu Hong held Fangtou. These forces commanded many tens of thousands of soldiers all together, and none of them submitted to Shi Min. This Duan Qin was the son of Duan Mopei; this Duan Kan was the son of Duan Lan.

During Zhao, Jizhou was administered from Xindu. Fukou was the mouth of the Fu River. According to Wei Shou's Geographical Records, the Shidou Weir was in Ye County. The Comprehensive Gazetteer states, "Sangqiu was within the borders of Suicheng County in Yizhou." And the Commentary on the Water Classic states, "Sanzang was a city in Sanzhong County, southeast of Puwu County in Changshan. It was commonly called Shi Le City. (10.45)" The 續漢志 says, "Yangcheng is in Puyin County in Changshan." Later on in this chapter, it mentions that Liu Guo lead troops from Fanyang to join with Shi Kun to attack Ran Min. This Yangcheng must be the same place as that Fanyang.

General Who Establishes Virtue was also an office created by Later Zhao. In addition to the earlier general ranks (that is, General Who Xs the Direction) of Conquers, Guards, Maintains, and Pacifies, Later Zhao also had the rank of Calms.

王朗、麻秋自長安赴洛陽。秋承閔書，誅朗部胡千餘人。朗奔襄國。秋帥衆歸鄴，蒲洪使其子龍驤將軍雄迎擊，獲之，以爲軍師將軍。

2. Wang Lang and Ma Qiu marched from Chang'an to Luoyang. When Ma Qiu received Shi Min’s order regarding the tribesmen, he executed over a thousand of them that were in Wang Lang’s division. Wang Lang fled to Xiangguo.

Ma Qiu led his soldiers towards Ye, but Pu Hong's son, the Dragon-Soaring General Pu Xiong, marched to meet him and attacked him. Ma Qiu was captured, and appointed as Pu Hong’s General Who Directs The Army.

3. The Prince of Ruyin, Shi Kun, marched along with Zhang Ju and Wang Lang, leading seventy thousand soldiers to attack Ye. Grand General Shi Min marched out at the head of over a thousand cavalry to offer battle north of the city. Shi Min grasped his double-ended spear, rode into the fray and attacked, breaking through in every direction, and taking three thousand heads. Shi Kun and the others were greatly defeated and retreated. Shi Min and Li Nong then led thirty thousand cavalry to attack Zhang Hedu at the Shidu weir.

4. In the intercalary month, Shi Jian secretly sent a eunuch to order Zhang Chen and others to attack Ye now that Shi Min was out of the city. But the eunuch instead went and informed Shi Min and Li Nong of the plot. Shi Min and Li Nong rode back, deposed Shi Jian and then killed him. They then killed Shi Hu's thirty eight grandsons, and wiped out the Shi clan.

Two of Yao Yizhong's sons who were still in Ye, the General Who Illuminates Valor Yao Yi and the General of 武衛 Yao Ruo, led several thousand troops to break through the gates and flee to Retou. Yao Yizhong led his troops to attack Shi Min, and his army waited at Hunqiao.

Sima Guang's commentary in the Textual Analysis states, "According to the Imperial Record, this event was in the intercalary month. The Thirty Kingdoms and the Jin Annals both say that the intercalary month was the first month of that year. According to the 長曆, the intercalary month was the second month of the year. The Imperial Record says that this intercalary month had the days Dingchou and Jichou. Since the first month of the year begins on the new moon, if the intercalary month had been the first month of the year, it would not have had the days Dingchou and Jichou. So the account of the 長曆 must be correct."

The ranks General of 曜武 and General of 曜威 were creations of the Shi clan.

5. Zhao's Minister Over The Masses, Shen Zhong, and others urged Shi Min to assume the throne. Shi Min offered Li Nong in his place, but Li Nong declined. Shi Min said, "I am a man of Jin, and the Jin dynasty yet exists. Should I not divide the land between the lords, each assuming their titles of Governor, Administrator, Duke, and Marquis, and welcome the Son of Heaven to return to his seat in Luoyang? What say you?"

The Master of Writing Hu Mujin replied, "Heaven approves of Your Majesty's saintly virtue, and you ought to rise to the throne. The Jin royal family has declined, and they have scurried far away across the Yangzi. How could they rule over the heroes of the land and bring all within the Four Seas back into one whole?"

Shi Min said, "Minister Hu’s words show an understanding of Heaven’s will." So he assumed the imperial throne, proclaiming a general amnesty. He changed the reign era title to Yongxing, and renamed the state to 魏 Wei.

6. When the Jin court learned of the further chaos in Zhao, plans were laid for another expedition. On the day Jichou (April 11th), the Inspector of Yangzhou, Yin Hao, was named as General of the Center, Credential Holder, and Commander over Yangzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Qingzhou affairs. Pu Hong was appointed King of the Di, Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Grand General Who Conquers The North, Commander of military affairs north of the Yellow River, Inspector of Jizhou, and Duke of Guangchuan. His son Pu Jian was appointed Credential Holder, General of the Left, leader of the vanguard of expeditionary forces north of the Yellow river, and Duke of Xiangguo.

7. Yao Yizhong and Pu Hong both had ambitions of seizing control of Guanyou. Yao Yizhong sent his son Yao Xiang with an army of fifty thousand to attack Pu Hong. Pu Hong met him in battle and defeated him, killing or capturing more than thirty thousand.

Pu Hong then declared himself as Grand Commander, Grand General, Grand Chanyu, and Prince of the Three Qins. It was at this time that he changed the surname of his clan to Fu. Among his followers, Lei Ruo’er of Nan'an was appointed General Who Upholds The State, Liang Luo of Anding was appointed General of the Front and acting Chief Clerk of the Left, Yu Zun of Fengyi was appointed General of the Right and acting Chief Clerk of the Right, Duan Ling of Jingzhao was appointed as General of the Left and acting Marshal of the Left, Wang Duo was appointed General of the Right and acting Marshal of the Right, Zhao Ju of Tianshui, Niu Yi of Longxi, and Xin Lao of Beidi were all appointed as Assistant Palace Attendants, and the Di chieftain Mao Gui was appointed Chanyu-Chancellor.

8. In the second month, Murong Jun sent Murong Ba with an army of twenty thousand to march along the eastern road from Tuhe, while he sent Muyu Yu to march along the western road from Yewengsai, and he himself marched along the central road from Lulongsai. All these movements were part of Yan's invasion of Zhao. Murong Ke and Xianyu Liang lead the army's vanguard, while Muyu Ni was ordered to build paths through the mountains. Murong Jun left his son Murong Ye to guard Longcheng, his Interior Minister Liu Bin was entrusted with the office of Minister of Finance, while his Prefect of the Directors of Writing Huangfu Zhen was left to manage rear affairs.

杜佑曰：盧龍塞在今平州城西北二百里。

Du You says, "Lulongsai was two hundred li northwest of Pingzhou City."

9. When Murong Ba's army reached the Three Passes near Anle, Zhao's General Who Conquers The East, Deng Heng, panicked and burned the city warehouses before abandoning Anle's defenses and fleeing. He went to jointly guard Ji along with the Inspector of Youzhou, Wang Wu. Yan's Colonel of the South at Tuhe, Sun Yong, quickly entered Anle, extinguished the remaining flames, and gathered up the grain. Murong Ba conscripted troops and grain from Anle and Beiping before joining up with Murong Jun at Linqu.

Anle was east of Liaoyang County in Liaoxi. Wei Shou's Geographical Records states, "Haiyang County has Mount Heng, which contains the Three Passes."

Linqu was on the banks of the Gou Canal. The Gou River flows east out of the western mountains in Wuzhong County in Beiping. From there it flows southeast until it reaches Yongnu County, where it enters the Baoqiu River. When Cao Cao was campaigning against Tadun, he carved a canal from Goukou, to provide the people of Yongnu and Quanzhou access to the rivers and sea.

10. In the third month, the Yan soldiers reached Wuzhong. Wang Wu left his subordinate officer Wang Tuo with a thousand men to continue guarding Ji, while he and Deng Heng marched to defend Lukou. On the day Yisi (April 27th), Murong Jun took Ji; he captured Wang Tuo and executed him.

Murong Jun also wished to bury alive a thousand soldiers, but Murong Ba remonstrated, saying, "You led your army to attack Zhao because of the state’s great cruelty, and in order to save the people from their misery and bring comfort to the central provinces. Now if you bury alive these soldiers after we have only just taken Ji, I fear it will do much to harm your reputation." Murong Jun therefore decided against it.

Murong Jun shifted his capital forward to Ji, and the men and women of the central provinces successively went over to his side.

When the Yan soldiers reached Fanyang, the Administrator of Fanyang, Li Chan, wished to oppose Yan on behalf of the Shi clan, but none of the people would support him, so he presented himself along with eight other city officials to surrender. Murong Jun confirmed his current post as Administrator.

After Murong Jun conquered Youzhou, he was about to bury alive the soldiers who had surrendered. Murong Chui remonstrated with him, saying, "When your conquest relies upon justice, first follow the common canons. As your aim is to settle the Central Plains, you should hold fast to and cherish virtue. You cannot let punishment of the innocent by burying them alive be what heralds the coming of the royal army." Murong Jun followed his advice.

11. Li Chan's son Li Ji was appointed as Yan's Attendant Officer of Youzhou. However, he abandoned his family, and joined Wang Wu at Lukou.

Deng Heng said to Wang Wu, "Li Ji's hometown (Fanyang) is in the north, and his father has already surrendered to Yan. Although he is here now, I fear that he will not be able to endure his conflicting loyalties. He will simply be a burden to us. It would be better to let him go."

Wang Wu replied, "What nonsense is this? Li Ji came here because of the current civil strife, and he could even give up his family for the sake of righteousness. Not even the heroes of old could surpass his sense of honor and virtue. How can you second-guess him and try to harm his good name with these suspicions? If the people of Yan and Zhao hear of it, they will say that we have assembled together only to become rebels, lacking in wisdom. Once they start having second thoughts, we would not be able to bring their minds together again to our cause. It would be a self-inflicted defeat." So Deng Heng ceased urging him.

However, Wang Wu still felt that the other generals did not agree with him. Worried that they would demand that he kill Li Ji, he eventually sent Li Ji away.

When Li Ji first came to meet with Murong Jun, Murong Jun said to him, "You have not heeded Heaven's command, since you abandoned your father to chase after reputation. Only now have you come to see me!"

Li Ji replied, "I had a mind to keep intact whatever little honor I had left. My body belongs to my lord; in what matter may I act outside of my lord’s will? Your Highness, you have only just begun your campaign for the realm through exerting your justice, and therefore I would not say I came too late."

Murong Jun was pleased with this response, and he treated Li Ji well.

俊以弟宜爲代郡城郎，孫泳爲廣寧太守，悉置幽州郡縣守宰。

12. Murong Jun appointed his younger brother Murong Yi as City Chief of Daijun, and appointed Sun Yong as Administrator of Guangning, as well as appointing other local administrators in the commandaries and counties of Youzhou.

此秦、漢以來之代郡，非後魏之代都。此代郡治代；後魏代都，乃秦、漢之平城也。城郎、城大，皆鮮卑所置，付以城郭之任。郎，主也。

This was the same Daijun as under Qin and Han times, but not the same one as under Wei. This Daijun was administered from Dai, while Wei's Daijun was what had been known as Pingcheng under Qin and Han.

城郎 and 城大 were Xianbei titles, which designated the commanders of the inner and outer walls of a city. 郎 means chief.

13. On the day Jiazi (May 16th), Murong Jun sent the 俟厘 of the Central Tribe, Muyu Gou, to take charge of affairs in Ji, while he himself went to attack Deng Heng at Lukou. When the army reached Qingliang, Deng Heng's general Lubo Zao launched a night attack on the Yan camp with several thousand men. When half of them had already entered the camp, they first went to assault Murong Ba, the commander of the vanguard. They rushed into Murong Ba’s tent. Murong Ba rose and fought back, killing over ten of them with his bare hands. And thus Lubo Zao was unable to advance, and the Yan army was able to reinforce its defenses.

Murong Jun said to Muyu Gen, "The enemy’s vanguard is keen; perhaps we should fall back." Muyu Gen with a stern countenance replied, "Our numbers are great, and they are few. Since they cannot defeat us openly, they resorted to attacking us by night, hoping to gain advantage over us despite the odds. We were already looking for the enemy, and now here they are at hand. This is the time to strike them. Why should have you have any further doubts? " But Murong Jun could not calm his anxiety, so his Interior Minister Li Hong led him out of the camp, and they went to stay on top of a high mound.

Muyu Gen led those around him, several hundred braves, from the central tent (where he had been speaking with Murong Jun) to attack Lubu Zao head-on. Soon, Li Hong regrouped a cavalry unit and went back to help with the fighting, and Lubu Zao at last retreated. The army pursued him for over forty li, and only Lubu Zao escaped, while his remaining soldiers perished. Murong Jun led the army back to Ji.

儁之還薊，亦鹿勃早有以挫其銳，否則進攻魯口矣。

Murong Jun's return to Ji must have been partly due to Lubo Zao’s having dealt a blow to his morale, or else he would have pressed on to attack Lukou.

14. Shi Min changed his clan's surname to their former one, Ran. He honored his mother Lady Wang as Empress Dowager, and elevated his wife Lady Dong as Empress, while appointing his eldest son Ran Zhi as crown prince and his other sons Ran Yin and Ran Mingyu as princes. Li Nong was appointed as Grand Governor, acting Grand Commandant, and given command over the imperial secretariat. He was ennobled as Prince of Qi, and his sons were all named Dukes.

Ran Min dispatched many envoys with staffs of authority, offering pardons to the remaining regional army commanders, but they all refused the offer.

15. Ma Qiu said to Fu Hong, "Ran Min and Shi Zhi are battling for contention, so the Central Plains cannot yet be settled. It would be better to first take Guanzhong. Having established that as a base, then you may march east, and all the realm can be claimed. Who can oppose you?" Fu Hong deeply agreed with this.

Subsequently, Ma Qiu poisoned Fu Hong at a feast, for he wished to seize control of Fu Hong’s army. Fu Hong's son Fu Jiàn arrested Ma Qiu and executed him.

In order to differentiate 苻健 Fu Jian from his more famous nephew 苻堅 Fu Jian, the former’s name will be written as Jiàn, while the latter will be Jian.

Fu Hong said to Fu Jiàn, "I had wished to enter Guanzhong, and by doing so to pacify the Central Provinces. But now, I have unfortunately fallen prey to a wicked man. You and your brothers will not be able to manage the Central Provinces. Once I die, you must enter Guanzhong!" Having said this, he soon passed away.

Fu Jiàn assumed command over the army, but he did away with his father’s claims to the ranks of Grand Commander, Grand General, or Prince of the Three Qins. Instead, he pledged himself a Jin vassal, and sent his uncle Fu An to inform the Jin court of his mourning and to ask for their commands.

16. Zhao's Prince of Xinxing, Shi Zhi, proclaimed himself the Zhao Emperor at Xiangguo, and changed the reign era title to Yongshou. He appointed the Prince of Ruyin, Shi Kun, as his Chancellor, and the various warlord commanders all inclined towards him.

Shi Zhi offered Yao Yizhong the ranks of Prime Minister of the Right and Prince Friendly to Zhao, and treated him well by sending him gifts.

Yao Yizhong's fifth son Yao Xiang, a bold and heroic man of many talents and tricks, enjoyed the favor of the gentry and the people. They asked Yao Yizhong to make Yao Xiang his heir, but because he was not Yao Yizhong’s eldest son, Yao did not consent. But after receiving over a thousand such supplicants in a day, Yao Yizhong at last placed Yao Xiang in command of his army. Shi Zhi named Yao Xiang as General of Cavalry, Inspector of Yuzhou, and Duke of Xinchang. He also offered to place Fu Jiàn in command of all military affairs south of the Yellow River, along with the ranks of Grand General Who Guards The South, with authority the Three Excellencies, Governor of Yanzhou, and Duke of Lüeyang.

In summer, the fourth month, Shi Zhi sent Shi Kun with an army of a hundred thousand to attack Ran Min’s newly-declared Wei dynasty.

Sima Guang's commentary in the Textual Analysis states, "According to the Jin Imperial Records, Shi Zhi claimed the throne in the intercalary month. The Thirty Kingdoms and the Annals of Jin both say it was in the third month. According to the Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, when Shi Zhi became Emperor, he offered ranks to Yao Yizhong and to Fu Jiàn, and it does not mention Fu Hong. Since Fu Hong died in the third month, that must have been the month when Shi Zhi claimed the throne.”

17. Ran Min killed Li Nong and his three sons, along with the Prefect of the Masters of Writing Wang Mo, the Palace Attendant Wang Yan, the Regular Attendant Yan Zhen, and Zhao Sheng.

Ran Min sent messengers to the bank of the Yangzi, to report to the Jin court, "I have already punished the barbarians who brought chaos to the Central Plains. If you are able to join us in fighting against them, send an army over." But the Jin court did not follow this suggestion.

五月，廬江太守袁真攻魏合肥，克之，虜其居民而還。

18. In the fifth month, the Administrator of Lujiang, Yuan Zhen, successfully took Wei's Hefei, capturing many of the inhabitants before returning.

六月，趙汝陰王琨進據邯鄲，鎮南將軍劉國自繁陽會之。魏衛將軍王泰擊琨，大破之，死者萬餘人。劉國還繁陽。

19. In the sixth month, Shi Kun advanced and captured Handan, and the General Who Guards The South, Liu Guo, marched from Fanyang to meet him. Wei's Guard General, Wang Tai, attacked Shi Kun, and dealt him a great defeat; over ten thousand died. Liu Guo retreated to Fanyang.

初，段蘭卒于令支，段龕代領其衆，因石氏之亂，擁部落南徙。秋，七月，龕引兵東據廣固，自稱齊王。

20. Earlier, Duan Lan had died in Lingqi. His son Duan Kan had inherited the soldiers under his command. Now, because of the chaos within the Shi clan, Duan Kan abandoned his post and led all the tribal people he commanded south. In autumn, the seventh month, Duan Kan led them to capture Guanggu (in Qingzhou), where he declared himself the Prince of Qi.

八月，代郡人趙榼帥三百餘家叛燕，歸趙幷州刺史張平。燕王俊徙廣寧、上穀二郡民于徐無，代郡民于凡城。

21. In the eighth month, a man from Daijun named Zhao Ke led over three hundred households in rebellion against Yan, going over to Zhao's Inspector of Bingzhou, Zhang Ping. Murong Jun relocated the peoples of the two commandaries Guangning and Shanggu to Xuwu, and relocated the remaining people of Daijun to Fancheng (to stave off future rebellions).

22. When Wang Lang had left Chang'an, his Marshal, Du Hong of Jingzhao, had seized control of Chang'an, and proclaimed himself as Jin's General Who Conquers The North and Inspector of Yongzhou, appointing Zhang Ju of Fengyi as his own Marshal. The peoples of Guanxi, both Han and tribal, submitted to him.

Fu Jiàn wished to capture Guanzhong, but fearing that Du Hong would learn of it, he accepted the Zhao offices (that Shi Zhi had offered). Zhao Ju was named as Administrator of Henei, and garrisoned at Wen; Niu Yi was named as General Who Gathers Peace, and garrisoned Huai. Fu Jiàn built a palace at Fangtou, charged the people to begin planting crops, and displayed no intentions of designs on the west. If anyone who knew about the campaign thus refused to plant crops, Fu Jiàn killed them.

After some time had passed in this fashion, he proclaimed himself as Jin's General Who Conquers The West, in charge of all Guanzhong affairs, and Inspector of Yongzhou. He further appointed Jia Xuanshuo of Wuwei as Chief Clerk of the Left, Liang An of Luoyang as Chief Clerk, Duan Chun as Marshal of the Left, Xin Lao as Marshal of the Right, and Wang Yu of Jingzhao, Cheng Gong of Anding, and Hu Wen and others as Libationers Who Consult The Army, and prepared his army to march west.

Yu Zun was appointed to lead the vanguard, and the army marched to Meng Ford, where they crossed the Yellow River with floating bridges. Fu Jiàn sent the General Who Upholds The State, his younger brother Fu Xiong, with five thousand troops to attack Tong Gate, while he sent the General Who Displays Valor, his nephew Fu Jing, with seven thousand troops to attack Zhi Gate. When they were parting on the river bank, he took Fu Jing's hand and said, "If this affair does not succeed, you shall die north of the river while I shall die south of it, and we will never see one another again."

After crossing the river, he burned the bridges, and personally lead the bulk of the army to follow after Fu Xiong.

23. When Du Hong learned of the invasion, he wrote to Fu Jiàn sending insulting messages. He appointed Zhang Ju's younger brother Zhang Xian as General Who Conquers the Caitiffs, and Zhang Xian led an army of thirteen thousand men to battle north of Tong Gate. Zhang Xian's army suffered a great defeat, and he retreated back to Chang'an. Du Hong began drafting the people of Guanzhong in order to oppose Fu Jiàn.

24. Fu Jiàn sent Fu Xiong to subdue the territories north of the Wei river. At that time, the Di chieftain Mao Shou held Gaoling, Xu Cuo held Haozhi, and the Qiang chieftain Bai Du held Huangbai; each of them commanded tens of thousands. All of them executed Du Hong's messengers and sent their sons to offer submission to Fu Jiàn. All the cities that Fu Jing and Yu Zun passed by surrendered to them. Du Hong, in fear, held fast to defending Chang'an.

25. Zhang Hedu, Duan Qin, Liu Guo, and Jin Tun assembled at Changcheng, planning to attack Ye. Ran Min himself marched out to attack them; they fought at Cangting, where Zhang Hedu and the others were greatly defeated, with twenty-eight thousand killed, and Jin Tun was killed during the pursuit while fleeing to Yin'an. Ran Min captured all their troops and returned.

Ran Min now commanded an army of over three hundred thousand soldiers, with the drums and banners extending for a hundred li. Even the Shi clan at its zenith could not compare with this.

26. Jin’s former Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Xin Mi of Longxi, was held in great esteem. During the rise and fall of both the Liu and the Shi clans (of Han-Zhao and Later Zhao), he had refused all offers of office.

Ran Min sent him gifts and offered to employ him as Minister of Ceremonies. Xin Mi sent Ran Min back a response stating, "Anything taken to the extreme will have the opposite effect. Your achievement is already a fact. You should use this victory as an occasion to submit yourself to the Jin court. As for me, I must keep to the simplicity of Xu You and Boyi, and enjoy the longevity of Master Red Pine and Prince Qiao." Because of that, he starved himself and passed away.

Xu You was a hermit living during great antiquity. Emperor Yao greatly admired him, and offered to give him the throne, but Xu You declined.

Boyi refers to the brothers Boyi and Shuqi, who lived together under the rule of King Wu of Zhou. When King Wu marched out to depose the last king of Shang and replace Shang with the Zhou dynasty, the brothers criticized him for his lack of filial piety and loyalty. After the Zhou dynasty became a fact, the brothers refused to eat "the grain of Zhou", and so starved themselves to death.

Master Red Pine and Ji Jin (also known as Prince Qiao) were Daoist sages who were said to have achieved immortality. Master Red Pine devised a method to grant himself eternal life, while Ji Jin was said to have ascended to Heaven on the back of a crane.

27. In the ninth month, Murong Jun was subduing the territory of Jizhou; he captured Zhangwu and Hejian.

When Jia Jian of Bohai had been a youth, he had displayed much moral courage and integrity, and so Zhao appointed him as 殿中督. Now that Zhao had collapsed into turmoil, Jia Jian fled from Ran Min to return to his home territory, where he gathered together several thousand families. When Murong Ping was subduing Bohai, he sent notice to Jia Jian asking for his surrender, but Jia Jian would not accept. Murong Ping fought him in battle, and captured him. Murong Jun appointed Murong Ping as Administrator of Zhangwu, and Feng Yi as Administrator of Hejian.

Murong Jun and Murong Ke both admired Jia Jian. At this time, Jia Jian was already over sixty-five. Murong Ke heard that Jia Jian was an excellent shot, so he placed a bull at a hundred paces from them and asked Jia to prove his mettle. Jia Jian said, "When I was younger, I could make it so that my shots miss the bull. But now I’m old, and more often than not I’d hit it." So he shot an arrow, and then another. The first shot went over the bull, just brushing against its spine; the second shot went under it, just grazing its belly. Both of the arrows had touched the skin and even sliced off a few hairs, as though they had been the same arrow. Everyone who was watching it felt that he was a remarkable talent. Murong Jun made Jia Jian the Administrator of Leling, to govern Gaocheng.

苻菁與張先戰于渭北，擒之，三輔郡縣堡壁皆降。冬，十月，苻健長驅至長安，杜洪、張琚奔司竹。

28. Fu Jing fought Zhang Xian north of the Wei river, and captured him. The commanders of the fortified places within the Three Adjuncts (around Chang’an) all went over to him.

30. In the eleventh month, Ran Min led a hundred thousand cavalry to attack Xiangguo.

Ran Min appointed his son, the Prince of Taiyuan, Ran Yin, as Grand Chanyu and Grand General of Agile Cavalry, with a retinue of a thousand tribesmen who had surrendered. The Household Counsellor Wei Xiao remonstrated, saying, "We have gained the hatred of the barbarians (presumably because of Ran Min’s execution order). These ones have submitted to us just to save their own lives. If they should try anything, it will be too late for regrets! It would be better to execute the surrendered barbarians and discard the title of Chanyu, to avoid problems from developing."

But Ran Min wished to win over the various tribal groups, and he received this advice in a great fury. He executed Wei Xiao and his son Wei Boyang.

31. On the day Jiawu (?), Fu Jiàn entered Chang'an. Since the people's hearts still inclined towards Jin, he sent his Army Advisor Du Shanbo to Jiankang to report his triumph and ingratiate himself with Huan Wen. The peoples of Qin and Yong, both Han and tribal, all submitted to him. Only Zhao's Inspector of Liangzhou, Shi Ning, held out against him at Shanggui. In the twelfth month, Fu Xiong attacked Shi Ning and killed him.

32. Cai Mo had been appointed Minister over the Masses, but for three years he did not show up for work. Several edicts were sent commanding him to do so, and the Empress even sent messengers to instruct him to, but Cai Mo never accepted. At this time, when Emperor Mu held court, he sent the Palace Attendant Ji Ju and the Attendant of the Yellow Gate, Ding Zuan, to order Cai Mo to report to court. Cai Mo pleaded illness, and sent the Registrar Xie You to decline on his behalf. From dawn until the 9th hour (3-4pm), messengers were sent to Cai Mo more than ten times, but Cai Mo still refused to come.

Emperor Mu, being just eight years old, was getting tired. He asked his attendants, “Why is the person I’m summoning still not here? When is court over?” The dowager empress, considering how emperor and ministers alike were getting tired, decreed, "If he’s not coming, let’s dismiss court." The General of the Central Army, Yin Hao, petitioned to have the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Jiang Bin, dismissed from office.

The Prince of Kuaiji, Sima Yu sent an order to the imperial secretariat office, saying, "Lord Cai, in his arrogance, has disobeyed the emperor’s orders, and displayed a lack of proper behavior of a minister. If the ruler of men continues to grovel, and his subordinates continue not to act in accordance to their station, by what shall we continue to run the government?"

And thus the lords and ministers petitioned: Cai Mo has been haughty and contemptuous towards his lord. His crime is on a par with sedition. We ask that he be handed over to the Minister of Justice for his punishment."

Cai Mo was afraid, and he led his sons and younger brothers to dress in plain clothing and present themselves to kowtow and admit their faults, and then turned himself over to the Minister of Justice to await his punishment. Yin Hao wished to have Cai Mo executed. Just then, the Inspector of Xuzhou, Xun Xian, entered the court. Yin Hao asked him for his opinion. Xun Xian said, "Since Duke Cai is in danger today, tomorrow he will lead the soldiers and so certainly achieve the feats of Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin." So Yin Hao ceased arguing for the death sentence. Emperor Mu ordered Cai Mo demoted to commoner status.

謂所親曰 = saying to his close associates「古人有釋衰絰從王者，以其才足干時故也。如和者，正足以虧孝道、傷風俗耳。」= “There were cases in ancient times when a person would take off his mourning clothes to follow a lord, but that was because his talents were so great that he could change the world. But as for someone like me, if I did the same, it would only serve to diminish the way of filial piety and offend tradition.”

識者美之 = Those who knew him praised him.

屬當厄運，危弊理極 = Being in this time of great misfortune, where dangers and corruptions are at their utmost

苟遂本懷，吾恐天下之事於此去矣。= If you only follow your own desires, I fear that all hopes for the world will be gone.

足下去就，即時之廢興，則家國不異 = Your decision to come or stay will decide whether the realm will perish or rise. You must treat the nation as your own family.

8. 惡 = dislike

朝覲以目相顧，不必復相過從談語。= When they met during court assembly, they only exchanged looks, and did not converse when passing by each other again.

9. “In our discussing the general to send”: not sure about this wording. How about “these days, when people recommend commanders, they tend to recommend those of long service”

非舊德也 = Not because of his past accomplishments

蓋明主之舉，舉無常人，才之所堪，則授以大事。 = When a sage lord appoints people, he does not follow set guidelines; but whoever’s talents are up to the task, he is entrusted with important responsibilities.

破趙以報: I think the 以報 part means to repay the honour (of being consulted)

10. 皆義士也 = They are both righteous people. (referring to both the guys who committed suicide)

11. 嘉寧 = Jianing (no apostrophe needed)

多居禁中 = He spent most of his time in his palace

佈滿山谷十餘萬落: This sounds incredible but literally it says there were hundreds of thousands of tribes (or settlements) in the mountains

12. 以為不可 = think it was not advisable (not impossible)

夫經略大事，固非常情所及 = When one organizes great ventures, he must rise beyond the common sentiments/ideas.

智者了於胸中，不必待眾言皆合也。= A wise man knows the course of action in his own heart, and does not need to wait for a consensus.

今為天下之患者，胡、蜀二寇而已。= Those who plague the realm are only the barbarians and the Shu.

將欲除之，宜先其易者 = If we want to be rid of them, we should first take out the easier target.

且恃其險遠，不修戰備 = Furthermore, he considers his land treacherous and far away, and thus he has not prepared for battle.

宜以精卒萬人輕繼疾趨 = We should send 10,000 crack troops to march swiftly and lightly

此似是而非 = This seems reasonable, but it’s not.

14. 不必得則不為 = He does not do anything if he is not certain of success

"Whatever you do, don't fall off the bridge! It'll be a pain to try to get back up again." - Private, DW 8

2. Fu Jiàn's Chief Clerk of the Left, Jia Xuanshuo, and others petitioned him that, in accordance with the precedent set when Liu Bei declared himself Prince of Hanzhong, Fu Jiàn himself should assume the titles of chief of Guanzhong affairs, Grand General, Grand Chanyu, and Prince of Qin (and that these should be titles declared under Jin authority). Fu Jiàn angrily replied, "How can I presume to declare myself Prince of Qin? Our envoy to the Jin court has not yet returned, so you have no way of knowing which ranks they have entitled me to."

But Fu Jiàn then secretly sent Liang An to persuade Jia Xianshuo and the others to ask him to assume the imperial title instead. Although Fu Jiàn feigned three times his wish to decline the title, in the end he accepted them.

On the day Bingchen (March 4th), Fu Jiàn declared himself as Heavenly Prince and Grand Chanyu; he declared the foundation of a state named Qin, and proclaimed a general amnesty. The reign era title was changed to Huangshi.

Fu Jiàn honored his late father Fu Hong as Emperor Wuhui, with the temple name Taizu. Fu Jiàn set up his wife Lady Qiang as Heavenly Princess, and named his son Fu Chang as crown prince. Among his other sons, Fu Jing was named Duke of Taiyuan, Fu Sheng was named Duke of Huainan, Fu Di was named Duke of Changle, Fu Fang was named Duke of Gaoyang, Fu Shuo was named Duke of Beiping, Fu Teng was named Duke of Huaiyang, Fu Liu was named Duke of Jin, Fu Tong was named Duke of Runan, Fu Sou was named Duke of Wei, Fu Wu was named Duke of Yan, and Fu You was named Duke of Zhao. His brother Fu Xiong was tasked with command of all military affairs, and named as Prime Minister, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of Yongzhou, and Duke of Donghai. His nephew Fu Jing was appointed as Grand Guard General and Duke of Xiping, and Guardian of the Two Palaces. Lei Ruo’er was appointed as Grand Commandant, Mao Gui was appointed Minister of Works, Jiang Bozhou of Lüeyang was appointed as Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Liang Leng was appointed as Deputy Director of the Left, Wang Duo was named Deputy Director of the Right, Yu Zun was entrusted as the crown prince's Grand Instructor, Qiang Ping was appointed as Grand Tutor, Duan Chun was named Grand Guardian, and Lü Polou was named Regular Attendant of 散騎. Jiang Bozhou was Fu Jiàn's uncle on his mother's side, while Qiang Ping was Fu Jiàn's brother-in-law. Lü Polou had originally been a Di chieftain from Lüeyang.

事見六十八卷漢獻帝建安二十四年。玄碩欲表言之於晉朝。苻健，字建業，洪第三子。強，其兩翻，氐姓也。廋，所鳩翻。二宮，健所居及子萇所居也。

Liu Bei's assumption of the title Prince of Hanzhong is mentioned in Book 68, in Emperor Xian of Han's twenty-fourth year of Jian'an (219.J in de Crespigny's To Establish Peace).

Jia Xuanshuo wished for the claiming of these titles to be a statement of Fu Jiàn's submission to Jin.

Fu Jiàn, styled Jianye, was Fu Hong's third son.

強 Qiang, pronounced "qiang (q-iang)", was a Di surname.

廋 is pronounced "sou (s-iu)".

Fu Jing's title Guardian of the Two Palaces refered to Fu Jiàn’s palace and Fu Chang’s palace.

段龕請以青州內附；二月，戊寅，以龕為鎮北將軍，封齊公。

3. The warlord Duan Kan, who ruled the city Guanggu in Qingzhou, offered to submit to Jin along with that province. In the second month, on the day Wuyin (March 26th), he was appointed as Jin’s General Who Guards The North, with the title Duke of Qi.

段龕據廣固，始上卷上年。龕，苦含翻。

Duan Kan's capture of Guanggu was first mentioned in the last year of Book 98 (350.20).

4. Ran Min marched against Xiangguo, and besieged it for more than a hundred days. Shi Zhi, under extreme duress, resigned his title as Emperor and claimed only to be King of Zhao. He also sent his Grand Commandant Zhang Ju to beg for an army from Yan, offering to give them the Imperial Seal. His General of the Center Army, Zhang Chun, was also sent to beg for an army from Yao Yizhong. Yao sent his son Yao Xiang with twenty-eight thousand cavalry to ride to Xiangguo's relief.

Before Yao Xiang’s departure, Yao Yizhong said to his son, "Ran Min has thrown away virtue and cast off justice, wiping out the Shi clan. Because of the favor I have received from them, I must have vengeance against him, but old and infirm as I am, I cannot go myself. You are ten times as talented as Ran Min; if you do not capture him, do not show your face here again!"

Yao Yizhong also sent word to Yan, and Murong Jun dispatched his General Who Overcomes Difficulties, Yue Wan, with thirty thousand men to link up with him.

去年十一月，閔攻襄國。事見上卷五年、六年。謂石虎遇之厚也。禦難將軍，蓋慕容氏創置。

Ran Min had attacked Xiangguo in the eleventh month of the previous year (350.30).

Ran Min's overthrow of the Shi clan was mentioned in the fifth and sixth years of Yonghe (349-350).

Yao Yizhong refers to the favor he received from Shi Hu.

General Who Overcomes Difficulties was a title created by the Murong clan.

5. When Ran Min heard that Murong Jun was sending aid to Shi Zhi, he dispatched his Assistant 中郎 to the Grand Marshal, Chang Wei of Guangning, to Yan as his envoy. Murong Jun sent Feng Yu to say to Chang Wei, "Ran Min was raised by the Shi clan, and received their beneficence. How dare he overthrow them and proclaim his own state?"

Chang Wei said, "When Tang of Shang overthrew Jie of Xia, and King Wu of Zhou campaigned against King Zhou of Shang, these were for the cause of founding the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Cao Mengde (Cao Cao) was raised by a eunuch and none knew of his true lineage, and yet he finally built the foundation of Wei. If these men did not have the Mandate of Heaven, how could they have succeeded? If you follow this logic, what need have you for these questions?"

Feng Yi said, "People say that when Ran Min first rose to the throne, he had cast a golden statue, in order to divine whether he would succeed or fail, but the statue was never completed. Is it true?"

Chang Wei replied, “I have heard nothing of the sort.”

Feng Yi said, “Everyone coming from the south has reported the same thing. Why hide it?”

Chang Wei replied, “When evil men try to influence the populace by falsifying Heaven’s Mandate, they all use auspicious omens or results of divinations to puff up themselves. But the Lord of Wei grasps the Imperial Seal, and controls the Central Provinces. Can there be any question that he has received the Mandate? What need does he for confusing truth and falsehoods, and have some golden statue decide his destiny?"

Feng Yi asked, "And where is the Imperial Seal now?"

Chang Wei said, "At Ye."

Feng Yi said, "Zhang Ju says it is at Xiangguo."

Chang Wei replied, "On the day the barbarians were killed, almost none of them survived in Ye. If any of them did escape the slaughter, it was only through hiding in some gully or ditch somewhere. How could any of them know where the Seal was? People like him who are asking for aid are inclined to spin wild tales. Nothing is beyond the possibility of their tales, not even the Seal!"

操事見五十八卷漢靈帝中平元年。操，字孟德。言無孤單得遺者。《爾雅》：水注谷曰溝，水注澮曰瀆。

The story of Cao Cao's origin is mentioned in Book 58, in Emperor Ling of Han's first year of Zhongping (184.P in de Crespigny's Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling). His style name was Mengde.

In Chang Wei's account of the slaughter, he means to say that none of them would have survived to bring the Seal with them.

Regarding the terms 溝 and 瀆, the Erya dictionary states, "Water which flows into a valley is called a gully or ravine, and water that flows through the fields is called a ditch or drain."

Tang of Shang was a vassal of Jie of Xia, the last king of the mythic Xia dynasty. Because of Jie’s faults, Tang overthrew him and established the Shang dynasty.

The Imperial Seal was a symbol of the Emperor’s right to rule. It was carved from a precious jade by Qin Shihuang. After the fall of Qin, it had passed to Han, and during the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao took it from the upstart emperor Yuan Shu. The Seal had passed from Wei to Jin, and then first Han-Zhao and then Later Zhao had claimed it in turn when they captured Luoyang.

6. Murong Jun still chose to believe Zhang Ju's claims. To intimidate Chang Wei, he began to gather up firewood beside him, and he sent Feng Yu to use Chang Wei’s personal interests to sway him. Feng Yu said to him, "Master Chang, you ought to reconsider, lest you be engulfed by the flames."

Chang Wei sternly replied, "The Shi clan was wild and cruel, and Shi Hu personally led a grand army to attack Yan's own capital. Although he was unsuccessful then and had to retreat, he always held the ambition to conquer Yan. He kept sending money and grain to the northeast, and stockpiling war equipment there, not for supplying you, but for destroying you. Now the lord of Wei has snuffed out the Shi clan. It is true that he did not do this for the sake of Yan. But as you are a minister of Yan, how should you act when you hear of the destruction of your state’s enemies? Yet instead, you chastise me for their sake. Is that not a strange thing?

"I have heard that when a man dies, though his flesh and bones are cast into the earth, even so his soul ascends to Heaven. If you would be so kind, please hurry up and bring more firewood and light the fire, so I can bring my case before the Lord of Heaven!"

Those around Murong Jun asked for Chang Wei to be executed. But Murong Jun said, "He does not fear even to be killed and buried for the sake of his lord. What a loyal minister! Though Ran Min is a criminal, his messenger does not share his crime." So he sent Chang Wei away, putting him up in lodging for the night.

Lady Wu's Notes: 帝 here refers to the deity in early Chinese beliefs, believed to be the highest ruler of all creation.

That night, Murong Jun sent a certain Zhao Zhan, who was from the same county as Chang Wei, to try to console him. Zhao Zhan said to Chang Wei, "Why don’t you tell the truth? If the Prince gets angry and considers exiling you to the lands beyond Liao and Jieshi, what would you do then?"

Chang Wei replied, "Since I have become a man, I have not lied to even a commoner, let alone a ruler of men! I’m incapable of bending my principles just to ingratiate myself to someone. I am a straightforward man and I speak all and only all I know. Even if they throw me into the East Sea, I will not seek to escape my fate!" Having said his piece, Chang Wei lay down facing the wall, and refused to say anything further to Zhao Zhan.

Zhao Zhan went to report the matter to Murong Jun. He put Chang Wei in prison at Longcheng.

Shi Hu's unsuccessful first campaign against Yan was mentioned in Book 96, in Emperor Cheng's fourth year of Xiankang (338.11-14). His further stockpiling and preparations for more campaigns were mentioned in that same year and in the following year (338.18, 338.30-34, 339.26).

Liao and Jie meant Liaohai and Jieshi. Du You remarked, "In Lulong, which was Han's Feiru County, there is a Mount Jieshi, whose edge abutts the sea. When Qin built the Great Wall, it ended at Jieshi. But this is not to be confused with the Jieshi which is within the old territory of modern Goryeo." The Jieshi which Zhao Zhan mentions here is the same one that Du You meant.

趙并州刺史張平遣使降秦，秦王以平為大將軍、冀州牧。

7. Zhao's Inspector of Bingzhou, Zhang Ping, sent word of submission to Qin. Fu Jiàn appointed him as Grand General and Governor of Jizhou.

燕王逡還薊。

8. Murong Jun returned to Ji.

自龍城還薊。

He was returning from Longcheng.

三月，姚襄及趙汝陰王琨各引兵救襄國。冉閔遣車騎將軍胡睦拒襄於長蘆，將軍孫威拒琨於黃丘，皆敗還，士卒略盡。

9. In the third month, Yao Xiang and Zhao's Prince of Ruyin, Shi Kun, each marched to Xiangguo's relief. Ran Min sent his General of Chariots and Cavalry, Hu Mu, to fight Yao Xiang at Zhanglu, while his general Sun Wei went to battle Shi Kun at Huangqiu. Both of Ran Min’s generals were defeated and fled, with great loss of life.

The Commentary on the Water Classic states, "The Zhang River passes through the west of Tangyang County, where it splits into two rivers. The right river flows northeast, where it enters Shimen ("the stone gate"), and this river is called the Zhanglu River. The Zhanglu River flows west, south of Tangyang City, and east past Jiumen Slope, and further east through Fudou County." The Records of the Five Dynasties states, "Sui formed Zhanglu County, as part of Hejian commandary." Liu Xu remarked, "Zhanglu was Han's Canhu County."

Wei Shou's Geographical Records states, "Huangqiu is in Qiao County in Julu commandary." This 郻 is pronounced "Qiao (k-ao)".

10. Since his subordinates had been defeated, Ran Min wished to go attack Yao Xiang and Shi Kun himself, but his Guard General Wang Tai remonstrated, saying, "Xiangguo has not yet fallen. Now these forces have come to relieve it. If we march to fight them, we will be attacked from both sides. This would be the path to disaster. It would be better to strengthen our defenses here until the initial ardor of their attack has been sapped. Then we can gradually look for rifts among them, and strike them then. Furthermore, with Your Majesty being here in the army in person, if you’re not absolutely safe, then our state will be lost."

「覆」，當作「腹」。【章：孔本正作「腹」；十二行本、乙十一行本仍作「覆」。】

The character 覆 ("overturn") here should be 腹 ("vitals").

Ran Min was about to agree to this, when the Daoist Fa Rao suggested, "Your Majesty has held Xiangguo under siege since last year, but we are no closer to success. Now the rebels have arrived, and if you do not go to fight them, how can you inspire your troops afterwards? Venus is currently crossing the Mao constellation, and this augurs the death of the barbarian king: you will meet a hundred victories in a hundred battles. You must not let this opportunity pass you by!"

This decided Ran Min, and he rolled up his sleeves and declared in a loud voice, "I have decided to give battle. Whoever dares to demoralize the troops will part with his head!" So he gathered his troops and marched out to fight against Yao Xiang and Shi Kun.

《晉‧天文志》：昴七星，爲旄頭，胡星也。

The Astrological Records of Jin states, "The Mao constellation has seven stars. It symbolizes a hairy head, and for that reason it is the sign of the barbarians."

Just then, Yue Wan had arrived with the reinforcements from Yan. When they were several li away from the Wei army, Yue Wan sent his cavalry to ride about. The horses dragged bundles of wood behind them, kicking up a great cloud of dust as though a massive army were approaching. The Wei troops were greatly afraid.

Yao Xiang, Shi Kun, and Yue Wan then attacked the Wei army from three sides, and Shi Zhi also marched out of the city and attacked them from behind. The Wei army suffered a great defeat. Ran Min escaped back to Ye with a dozen riders.

自棘城之敗，趙人固畏燕兵，見其至而勢盛，故恟懼。果如王泰之言，腹背受敵而敗。

Ever since their defeat at Jicheng (in 338), the Zhao soldiers had feared the Yan soldiers. Now that they saw them coming in such strength, they panicked.

Just as Wang Tai had predicted, the Wei army was struck from both front and rear and so defeated. (This was why 腹 was the correct character earlier, as part of 腹背 "vitals and back" or "front and rear").

It was earlier mentioned that the Grand Chanyu, Ran Min’s son Ran Yin, had a thousand tribesmen as his personal soldiers. During this battle, the tribesman Litekang and others, planning to surrender to Shi Zhi, seized Ran Yin and the Deputy Director of the Left, Liu Qi, and went over to Xiangguo. Shi Zhi killed the two prisoners. Among Ran Min's ministers, Hu Mu, the Minister of Works, Shi Pu, the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Xu Ji, the Palace Secretary, Lu Shen, and others all died in battle, and the Wei army's dead numbered in the tens of thousands.

果如韋謏之言。史言冉閔不能用羣策以取敗。劉隗、盧諶不能爲晉死而卒死於兵。人誰不死，貴得其死所耳！諶，是壬翻。

This was just as Wei Xiao had earlier warned (to not employ the thousand tribesmen as his son's personal retinue). This passage shows how Ran Min was unable to use his subordinate's advice, and so he suffered defeats.

Alas, that Liu Kui (Book 95, 333.14) and Lu Shen could not die on behalf of Jin, and met their ends in battle. All men die, but it is better to die with glory! 諶 is pronounced "shen (sh-en)".

Ran Min snuck back into to Ye without anyone knowing. Ye was plunged into fear, with rumors spreading that Ran Min had died. The Colonel of Archers Who Shoot At A Sound, Zhang Ai, asked Ran Min to personally sacrifice in order to calm the people's hearts. Ran Min agreed to do so, and the rumors of his death were squashed.

親郊，親出郊祀也。

To "personally sacrifice" meant to personally conduct the offering of sacrifices.

Ran Min executed Fa Rao, the Daoist who had urged him to fight, and his sons by dismemberment. He also posthumously named Wei Xiao as Grand Minister Over The Masses.

Yao Xiang returned to Shedou. Because he had not captured Ran Min, Yao Yizhong was furious and gave him a hundred floggings.

解剝其支體而殺之。謏死，見上卷上年。謏，蘇鳥翻。

Fa Rao's punishment meant to peel off the skin and dismember the body before killing.

Wei Xiao's death was mentioned in the previous year, in Book 99 (350.30). 謏 is pronounced "xiao (s-iao)".

Ran Min so honored Wei Xiao because Wei Xiao had earlier warned him not to trust Litekang and the other tribesman whom he had entrusted to his son Ran Yin.

11. Earlier, when Ran Min was serving Zhao, he gave away the contents of the storehouses and granaries to have people indebted to him. At the same time, not a month passed when he did not fight against the Qiang and the other tribes.

The people that Zhao had forced to relocate, including the people of Qingzhou, Yongzhou, Youzhou, and Jingzhou, as well as tribesmen of the Di, Qiang, and Hu-Man—several millions in all—began to travel back to their homelands, as the laws of Zhao were no longer enforced. Their paths crossed and they killed and robbed each other; out of all those seeking to return home, only twenty to thirty percent reached their destinations. The Central Plains were in great turmoil. Thus there was a great famine and plague. The people resorted to cannibalism, and there were no people left to till the fields.

石虎破曹嶷，徙青州之民；破劉胤、石生，再徙雍州之民；破段匹磾及爲燕所敗，徙幽州之民；石勒南掠江、漢，徙荊州之民。

When Shi Hu had routed Cao Yi, he had forcibly relocated the people of Qingzhou; when he smashed Liu Yin and Shi Sheng (Book 95, 333.13-14), he did the same thing to the people of Yongzhou; when he destroyed Duan Pidi and when he suffered his defeats against Yan (Book 96), he also did the same thing to the people of Youzhou; and when Shi Le had raided south across the Yangzi and Han Rivers, he had also forcibly relocated the people of Jingzhou.

12. Shi Zhi sent his general Liu Xian with seventy thousand soldiers to attack Ye. Liu Xian’s army reached Mingguang Palace, only twenty-three li from Ye.

Ran Min was afraid, so he summoned Wang Tai so that he could discuss strategies with him. But Wang Tai, angry that his earlier advice had been disregarded, feigned illness and would not go. Even when Ran Min went to see him in person, Wang Tai stubbornly maintained his pretended illness. Ran Min, furious, went back to the palace, and told those around him, "That Ba slave; d’you think I can’t survive without ya? First I will vanquish those barbarians, and then I will come back and behead Wang Tai."

Ran Min gathered his troops and marched out to battle, and completely routed Liu Xian, pursuing his army as far as Yangping, and killing thirty thousand men. Liu Xian was greatly afraid, and he secretly offered to surrender to Ran, asking for the chance to prove himself by killing Shi Zhi, so Ran Min let him return to Xiangguo.

After returning to the city, upon hearing that Wang Tai wished to betray him and go over to Qin, Ran Min killed Wang Tai, and executed his clan to the third degree.

Wang Tai had been injured during the defeat outside Xiangguo, and he claimed to have an ulcer from it as his excuse.

Wang Tai was from the Ba-Man people.

By the term 乃公, Ran Min refers to himself; this had already been a colloquialism since Han Gaozu's (Liu Bang's) day.

During Han, Yangping County had been part of Dong commandary. Cao-Wei and Jin split it off as Yangping commandary, and it administered the northeast of Wei commandary. Song Bai remarked, "Wei's Zhoushen County was during Han called Yangping County. Later Zhao moved Yangping to Guantao County."

13. Fu Jiàn sent messengers to look into the people's suffering. He sought out those of remarkable talents, relaxed taxes that were a heavy burden to the people, opened up the grounds of the imperial villas to the people, and abolished useless articles of office, and threw out extravagant clothing. He removed everything from Zhao’s harsh rule that inconvenienced the populace.

趙修長安宮殿，亦有離宮之禁。史言苻健所以能據有關中。

Zhao had repaired the palaces at Chang'an, and also set aside some areas as imperial villas.

This passage demonstrates how Fu Jiàn was able to consolidate his hold on Guanzhong.

In summer, the fourth month, Sima Xun led thirty thousand horse and foot to assist them. Fu Jiàn faced Sima Xun’s army at Wuzhang Plains. Sima Xun was defeated in every engagement there, and in the end he retreated back to Nanzheng.

Fu Jiàn bore a grudge against Jia Xuanshuo for not having suggested right from the start that he assume the imperial title. He had someone report that Jia Xuanshuo was conspiring with Sima Xun, and then he had Jia and his sons executed.

15. Because of the chaos in the Zhao region, a man from Baohai, Pang Yue, led several thousand households over to Wei. Ran Min appointed Pang Yue as Administrator of Bohai. The former Administrator was Liu Zhun, the nephew of Liu Kui, and a powerful local landholder also lived there, Feng Fang, the younger cousin of Feng Yi. They both gathered men to help defend the city. Ran Min appointed Liu Zhun as Inspector of Youzhou, and he sent him along with Pang Yue to jointly divide Bohai.

Murong Jun dispatched Feng Yi to attack Pang Yue, and sent the Administrator of Changli, Gao Kai, to fight Liu Zhun and Feng Fang. This Gao Kai was the son of Gao Zhan.

【嚴：「守」改「尉」。】高瞻，見九十一卷元帝太興二年。

The character 守 here should be 尉 (that is, Liu Zhun was the former Grand Commandant, not former Administrator).

Gao Zhan was mentioned in Book 91, in Emperor Yuan's second year of Taixing (319).

16. Feng Yi led his troops straight to Pang Yue’s fort. He sent someone to bring a message to Pang Yue: "We are both from the same county, although we have been divided for quite some time. Now even meeting one another is difficult. People have their own feelings regarding the harm or profit of this current business, and there is no need for further discussion. Let us meet together one on one, and have the chance to catch up on old times face to face."

Pang Yue greatly trusted Feng Yi, so he went out, and met with Feng Yi outside of the gate of his fort. They both dismissed their escort riders, and addressed one another from their horses. After Feng Yi finished catching Pang Yue up with him about life, he exhorted Pang Yue, "Both of us were born in the same county, and my respect for you runs deep. That is why I earnestly wish for your continued prosperity. Since you have honored me with your attention today, I am obliged to tell you all that’s on my mind.

“Now Ran Min has only emerged from the chaos of the Shi clan. He does not have the ability to succeed. While it’s true that the realm bows down to his might, calamity and chaos also have just begun. This is proof that one cannot wrest the Mandate of Heaven to oneself by force. On the other hand, the Prince of Yan and his forebears 'have practiced virtue for generations'. He has set forth to restore justice and quell the chaos, and there is no one who is a match for him. He has already captured Ji, and his armies are moving into the regions of Zhao and Wei. The people are flocking to him from near and far, carrying their children on their back to see him.

“The people tire of the bitter draught, and all yearn for a ruler who follows the true path. Ran Min's demise is only a matter of time. It should be very clear to you which side will win and which will lose. Ever since the Prince of Yan began his royal design, he has treated wise and talented people with humility. Will you not change your allegiance and come over to our side? You may match the achievements of Zhou Bo and Guan Ying, and leave a legacy to your descendants. Would that not be better than to be a general of a vanquished state, by guarding your isolated city waiting for the inevitable calamity?"

When Pang Yue heard this, he was upset and could make no reply. Feng Yi had among his escorts a certain Zhang An, a man of powerful strength. As per instructions that Feng Yi had given him ahead of time, once Pang Yue started to look dejected, Zhang An rushed forward and seized the reigns of Pang Yue's horse, and with them in hand, he rode back to Feng Yi's camp while pulling Pang Yue's horse behind him.

When they returned to the army camp, Feng Yi sat down with Pang Yue. He told him, "It seemed that you would not come to a decision on your own, so I helped us reach the decision together. I’m not trying to seek rewards by capturing you; rather, I’m doing this out of the desire to save you, and through that, to bring peace to the people."

17. Gao Kai arrived at Bohai, where Liu Zhun and Feng Fang surrendered to him. Murong Jun appointed Feng Fang as Administer of Bohai, and Liu Zhun as Marshal of the Left, with Pang Yue as his army advisor. Because he acquired Pang Yue's service because Pang Yue fell for someone’s lure, Murong Jun renamed him to Pang Diao ("to fish").

劉顯弒趙王祗及其丞相安樂王炳、太宰趙庶等十餘人，傳首於鄴。驃騎將軍石寧奔柏人。魏主閔焚祗首於通衢，拜顯上大將軍、大單于、冀州牧。

18. Liu Xian murdered Shi Zhi, along with his Prime Minister and Prince of Anle, Shi Bing, his Grand Governor, Zhao Shu, and over ten others. He sent their heads to Ye. The General of Agile Cavalry, Shi Ning, fled to Boren. Ran Min burned Shi Zhi's head in Ye’s main street, and he appointed Liu Xian as Grand General, Grand Chanyu, and Governor of Jizhou.

柏人縣，自漢以來屬趙國。劉昫曰：唐邢州堯山縣，古之柏人城。

Ever since Han, Boren County was part of the Zhao princely fief. Liu Xu remarked, "The old city of Boren was in Yaoshan County in Tang's Xingzhou."

五月，趙兗州刺史劉啟自鄄城來奔。

19. In the fifth month, Zhao's Inspector of Yanzhou, Liu Qi, fled from Juancheng to surrender to Jin.

鄄城縣，漢屬濟陰郡，晉屬濮陽國，唐爲濮州治所。

During Han, Juancheng County was part of Jiyin commandary; during Jin, it was part of the Puyang princely fief. During Tang, it was administered in Puzhou.

秋，七月，劉顯復引兵攻鄴，魏主閔擊敗之。顯還，稱帝於襄國。

20. In autumn, the seventh month, Liu Xian once again led soldiers to attack Ye. Ran Min attacked and defeated him. Liu Xian retreated, and declared himself Emperor at Xiangguo.

八月，魏徐州刺史周成、兗州刺史魏統、荊州刺史樂弘、豫州牧張遇以廩丘、許昌等諸城來降；平南將軍高崇、征虜將軍呂護執洛州刺史鄭系，以其地來降。

21. In the eighth month, Wei's Inspector of Xuzhou, Zhou Cheng, their Inspector of Yanzhou, Wei Tong, their Inspector of Jingzhou, Yue Hong, and their Governor of Yuzhou, Zhang Yu, along with the cities of Linqiu, Xuchang, and others, all defected to Jin.

Wei’s General Who Pacifies The South, Gao Chong, and their General Who Conquers The Caitiffs, Lü Hu, arrested their Inspector of Luozhou, Zheng Xi, and then they also surrendered.

時周成據廩丘，張遇據許昌。時崇、護以三河之地來降。

At this time, Zhou Cheng held Linqiu and Zhang Yu held Xuchang, while Gao Chong and Lü Hu surrendered the Three He regions (Hedong, Henan, and Henei).

Wei's Administrator of Zhongshan, Hou Kan of Shanggu, closed the gates and guarded the city. Murong Ke marched south and secured Changshan. When the army reached Jiumen, Wei's Administrator of Zhaojun, Li Gui of Liaoxi, surrendered to them, and Murong Ke graciously accepted him. He sent Li Gui back to besiege Zhongshan, whereupon Hou Kan surrendered. After Murong Ke entered Zhongshan, he sent several dozen of the major military and gentry families to report to Ji, while leaving the rest of the people to live in peace and security. He issued strict military orders to his soldiers, and so none of the people there were harmed.

23. Yue Wan returned from Xiangguo. Murong Jun then knew that Zhang Ju had been lying about Shi Zhi possessing the Imperial Seal, so he killed Zhang Ju.

Ran Min’s envoy to Yan, Chang Wei, had four sons and two daughters at Zhongshan. Murong Jun released Chang Wei, and sent Chang Wei’s children to see him. Chang Wei sent Murong Jun a memorial expressing his appreciation for such grace. Murong Jun sent a response by his own hand stating, "You weren’t really doing much to preserve yourself, and I only kept you alive out of the consideration that we were from the same province. But in the midst of this great chaos, your children have returned to you. How can that not be Heaven's regard for you? If even Heaven takes care of you, how can I do less?" He gave Chang Wei a concubine and three hundred 斛 of grain, and sent him to live in Fancheng.

Yan’s Administrator of Beiping, Sun Xing, was reassigned to be Administrator of Zhongshan. He administered it well, using peaceful and comforting methods, and Zhongshan became at peace.

儁居昌黎，煒居廣寧，二郡皆屬幽州。

Murong Jun was from Changli, while Chang Wei was from Guangning; both these commandaries were part of Youzhou.

庫辱官偉帥部眾自上黨降燕。

24. Shenu Guanwei led a multitude from Shangdang to surrender to Yan.

傉，奴沃翻。庫傉官，漁陽烏桓大人庫傉之餘種。按溫公《與劉道原書》，以爲「庫」當作「厙」。詳見《前例》。庫，音舍。

傉 is pronounced "nu (n-o)". This Shenu Guanwei came from the famed Shenu clan of the Wuhuan of Yuyang. But in Duke Wen's (Sima Guang's) Letter to Liu Daoyuan, he believes that 庫 She should be 厙 She. Consult the Precedents chapter of the ZZTJ. 庫 is pronounced "she".

In winter, the tenth (or eleventh) month, Yao Yizhong was appointed by the Jin court as Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Grand Commander of the Six Tribes, Commander of affairs north of the Yangzi, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, with staff equal in authority to the Three Excellencies, Grand Chanyu, and Duke of Gaoling. His son Yao Xiang was appointed as Credential Bearer, General Who Pacifies The North, chief of Bingzhou affairs, Inspector of Bingzhou, and Duke of Pingxiang.

Since Zhao had perished, Yao Yizhong submitted to Jin. The Jin history states that he had exhausted his loyalty to the Shi clan.

Some versions say it was the eleventh month.

江 Jiang here should say 淮 Huai (that is, Yao Yizhong was made Commander north of the Huai River, not the Yangzi).

In fact, I believe it should say "north of the Yellow River".

逄釣亡歸渤海，招集舊眾以叛燕。樂陵太守賈堅使人告諭鄉人，示以成敗，釣部眾稍散，遂來奔。

26. Pang Diao escaped and fled back to Bohai, where he gathered up his old followers to rebel against Yan. Yan’s Administrator of Leling, Jia Jian, had someone put out notices to the people, analyzing the situation for them. Pang Diao's group scattered, and he himself fled to Jin.

Sima Guang's commentary in the Textual Analysis states, "According to the Biography of Jia Jian in the Book of Yan, 'Liezu (Murong Jun) asked Jia Jian for his age (because he was an older man), and Jia Jian responded that in taking new orders, he was only three years in service. Liezu was delighted with this response, and he appointed Jia Jian as Administrator of Leling.' Now Jia Jian had been captured by Yan in the ninth month of the previous year (350.27), so he could not have been three years in service until the year after this one. Being that he was therefore not yet the Administrator of Leling, how would he have been able to calm the counties there, and inform the people about Pang Diao? So I do not believe the Book of Yan's account; Jia Jian must have already been the Administrator, and not have received that post as a reward for his remark."

吐谷渾葉延卒，子碎妥立。

27. Among the Tuyuhun, Murong Yeyan passed away, and his son Murong Suixi inherited his command.

《晉書》作「辟奚」。按一百三卷簡文帝咸安元年鍾惡地殺三弟事，亦當作「辟奚」。

The Book of Jin records the heir's name here as Murong Pixi. And later on, in Book 103, in Emperor Jianwen's first year of Xian'an, the text mentions how Zhong Edi killed the King of the Tuyuhun's third brother, and that King is also named Murong Pixi (371.11).

The Tuyuhun were another branch of the Xianbei who settled around Lake Qinghai. Their founder, Murong Tuyuhun, was the brother of Former Yan’s founder Murong Hui.

在位二十三年卒，年三十三。有子四人，長子辟奚嗣。(Jinshu 97.17)

In the twenty-third year of (Murong Yeyan)'s reign, he passed away; he was thirty-three. He had four sons, and his eldest son Murong Pixi succeeded him.

28. Sometime earlier, when Huan Wen first learned of the chaos among the Shi clan, he sent notice to the court asking to lead a campaign to recover the Central Plains, but for a long time there had been no response.

Huan Wen knew that the court had employed Yin Hao to counter him, and was angry. He also knew the sort of man that Yin Hao was, so he did not fear him. Since there was no other trouble in the state, he was able to stay that way for over a year. Even though he kept up the appearance of being a subordinate of the court, he ran the territories under his control semi-autonomously. He kept virtually all the troops and war supplies he levied from the eight provinces under his control away from use by the central court.

Despite Huan Wen’s repeated further requests for a northern campaign, none were heeded by the court. In the twelfth month, on the day Xinwei (January 13th), Huan Wen sent a petition of notice to the court and then immediately began marching downstream at the head of forty or fifty thousand soldiers, heading to Wuchang, and the court was greatly afraid.

Huan Wen had sent this petition at the time when he had moved his camp forward to Anlu in the fifth year of Yonghe (Book 98, 349.21).

Some versions include the phrase "even though he kept up the appearance of being a subordinate of the court".

Huan Wen had first been appointed Commander of military affairs in the six provinces Jingzhou, Sizhou, Yongzhou, Yizhou, Lianzhou, and Ningzhou in the first year of Yonghe (Book 97, 345.12). In the fifth year, when he had sent Teng Jun to campaign against Lâm Ấp, at that time he was also granted command over the two provinces Jiaozhou and Guangzhou (Book 98, 349.7).

29. Yin Hao wished to resign from his position to avoid clashing with Huan Wen, and to send the Imperial Banner of Peace to Huan's army.

The Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Wang Biaozhi, said to the Prince of Kuaiji, Sima Yu, "Yin Hao’s requests are only to save himself, and not to safeguard the state, or for advancing Your Highness’s interests. If Yin Hao resigns his office, then people will be greatly astonished, and the Son of Heaven will sit alone. In this time of peril, who else but Your Highness will bear the blame?"

Wang Biaozhi also said to Yin Hao, "If Huan Wen submits a petition of disagreement and comes looking for someone to accuse, you will be the first one in the path of his ire. Since things have gone this far, there is already distrust and animosity between the two of you. Even if you want to go back to being a commoner, there is no way you can preserve yourself! You should deal with this without rash actions. Have the Prime Minster write a personal letter to him, demonstrating his sincerity and explaining the situation to him. Then Huan Wen will surely return back to his command post. If he doesn’t listen to that, then have the Emperor personally write him an edict. And if he still does not heed that, then you may send a force of justice against him. How could you rush headlong into this and sabotaging yourself right away?"

Yin Hao replied, "I’ve just been feeling distraught over having to decide on such weighty matters, and it’s been really worrying me the last few days. But as soon as I heard your plan, my anxiety is gone."

This Wang Biaozhi was the son of Wang Bin.

謂浩當朝政也。謂浩與溫有隙也。謂正溫舉兵向闕之罪。王敦之亂，彬能守正，彪之可謂克紹矣。

Wang Biaozhi refers to Yin Hao's position in the court administration, and the division between him and Huan Wen.

He means that it will become clear that Huan Wen has committed a crime by raising his troops.

During Wang Dun's rebellion, Wang Bin was able to support the legitimate side, so one could say that Wang Biaozhi was following in his father's footsteps.

30. Jin’s Marshal Who Protects The Army, Gao Song, said to Sima Yu, "You ought to send a letter to Huan Wen, instructing him of the advantages and disadvantages of his situation. Then he will go back to his post on his own. If he does not go back, then we send the Six Armies against him, since his crime will have been made clear!"

And so, while he was still sitting there, Gao Song drafted the following letter to Huan Wen on Sima Yu's behalf: "When rebels cause trouble, it is well to pacify them. When the right opportunity presents itself, it is well to seize it. When it comes to distant conquests on behalf of the state, drawing up grand plans and devising strategies to achieve them, and having the ability to carry them out, who else but yourself is worthy? However, in order to lead a great host on campaign, a foundation of resources must first be established. The ancients all struggled with the difficulties of such operations. You must not treat it as a light matter at the beginning and not give it thorough thought. The reason I have been deeply doubtful of your actions lately is precisely because of this.

“The people are all shocked by your unusual actions. There is an unending flurry of rumors, of which I am sure you would have heard something. 'When they are anxious lest such things should be lost, there is nothing to which they will not proceed'. It is possible that they would be swayed or shaken by the rumors, and scatter and fall apart. If this happens, then both what you hope for and what have achieved will both be lost, and this will be the end for the dynasty.

“In these things, I am blind and weak, and my virtues are insufficient to safeguard and comfort the people, or to protect and defend 'the fortified wall'; thus my heart is filled with shame, and I feel ashamed towards my friends. Although you and I are responsible for different affairs—yours external, mine internal—our goals are the same in ensuring stability of the rule and security of our land. The stability of the realm is inseparable from good virtues. You must first give thought to bringing tranquility within the state, before planning beyond the borders, so that the foundations of the imperial rule will strengthen and flourish, and justice will be known throughout the land. This is what I hope of you. This is just a insignificant but earnest thought on my part; how could I not pour my heart out to you just because of worries that you could be doubtful or distrustful of me?"

Huan Wen sent back a reply fearfully stating his apologies, and returned his army to their post.

Sima Yu was himself the Grand General Who Nurtures The Army, so Gao Song was his Marshal.

Gao Song was saying that if Huan Wen did not return to his post, then they could lead the Six Armies out to punish his disobediance.

In the first line of his letter, Gao Song meant that since at that time the people of the Central Plains were each coming in to surrender to Jin day by day, the time of the recovery of that territory was not far off, and that they needed to work together until then.

"When they are anxious lest such things should be lost, there is nothing to which they will not proceed" is a quote from the Analects (17.15).

The Book of Poetry has the verse "The circle of the king's relatives is a fortified wall." (Decade of Sheng Men, Ban.7)

31. The Jin court planned to go offer sacrifices near the capital. Sima Yu asked Wang Biaozhi, "Should the sacrificial ceremony include an amnesty or not?"

Wang Biaozhi replied, "Since the dynasty's restoration (by Sima Rui), the ceremony has always included an amnesty, although I have often said that it should not. Wild and evil men are always trying to test their luck, believing that the sacrifices will certainly have an amnesty again!" Sima Yu agreed with him.

燕王俊如龍城。

32. Murong Jun returned to Longcheng.

丁零翟鼠帥所部降燕，封為歸義王。

33. Zhai Shu of the Dingling lead all his forces to submit to Yan; they appointed him as Prince of Guiyi.

丁零居中山，其後翟斌等皆其種類也。

The Dingling resided in Zhongshan. Zhai Bin and the other Dingling leaders who appear later on all came from this branch of the Dingling.

The Dingling were another northern tribe of Turkic origin. They had lived for a long time under the Xiongnu.

2. The Prime Minister of Qin, Fu Xiong, along with the other officials, asked Fu Jiàn to truly assume the imperial title, and that he should follow the old rites and ceremonies of Han and Jin, without using the new rites that the Shi clan had developed. Fu Jiàn assented, and assumed the imperial title, proclaiming a general amnesty. All those who had formerly been Dukes were raised to Princes. He also said that, since the position of Chanyu was to rule over the barbarians, it is not fitting for the Son of Heaven to claim that title. So he granted it to Fu Chang, the Crown Prince.

謂石虎兄弟皆先稱天王，後卽皇帝位。此亦雄等之言也。

Fu Xiong refers to how Shi Hu and his brothers all first called themselves Heavenly Prince, and only later on assumed imperial title; that is, his suggestion was that Fu Jian should immediately proclaim himself Emperor without bothering with the lesser title first.

Fu Xiong and others had also made the same claim regarding the title Chanyu.

司馬勳既還漢中，杜洪、張琚屯宜秋。洪自以右族，輕琚，琚遂殺洪，自立為秦王，改元建昌。

3. After the Jin general Sima Xun returned to Hanzhong, Du Hong and Zhang Ju were stationed at Yiqiu. Since Du Hong regarded himself as coming from a superior lineage, he slighted Zhang Ju. Zhang Ju killed Du Hong, and proclaimed himself Prince of Qin, claiming his reign era title as Jianchang.

《水經註》：鄭渠自中山西瓠口東流，逕宜秋城北，又東逕中山南，又東逕池陽縣故城北。

The Commentary on the Water Classic states, "The Zhengqu (Zhengguo or Zheng Guo) Canal flows from Mount Zhong in the west to Hukou in the east. It flows north of the city of Yiqiu, and further east south of Mount Zhong, and still further east north of Puyang City in that county."

4. The newly self-proclaimed Emperor of Zhao, Liu Xian, attacked Changshan. Ran Min left his Grand General, Jiang Gan, to help his Crown Prince Ran Zhi to defend Ye, while he himself led eight thousand riders to relieve Changshan. Liu Xian's Grand Marshal and Prince of Qinghe, Shi Ning, surrendered the city of Zaoqiang to Wei. Ran Min attacked Liu Xian and defeated him, and pursued his army back to Xiangguo. There, Liu Xian's Grand General Cao Fuju opened the gates and allowed Ran Min's army to enter. Ran Min killed Liu Xian and his nobles and ministers, more than a hundred men, and burned down the palaces in Xiangguo, before forcing all the people there to move to Ye.

Zhao's Prince of Ruyin, Shi Kun, fled the city with his wives and concubines and sought refuge in Jin, but he was beheaded at Jiankang in the marketplace. Thus was the Shi clan finally extinguished.

During Former Han, Zaoqiang County had been part of Qinghe commandary. It was abolished under Later Han and Jin. Xun revived it, as a part of Xindu commandary.

Sima Guang's commentary in the Textual Analysis states, "Regarding when Ran Min killed Liu Xian, the Imperial Records of Jin states it was in the first month, the 鈔 Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms states that it was in the second month, and the Book of Yan states that it was on the day Jiyou (April 20th) in the third month. I do not know which is correct, so I follow the Imperial Records."

Ever since ancient times, there has never been a state that has not fallen, and there has never been a ruling family that has not been put to death. This was no different. However, never had one clan been so entirely destroyed. The Shi clan was tyrannical, cruel, overbearing, and violent, and their descendants were entirely exterminated to the last. It is not far wrong to see the hand of Heaven in this.

5. Jin’s Minister of the Left of the Masters of Writing, Kong Yan, said to Yin Hao, "Commissioner, this state of affairs is very lamentable, and I wonder how you plan to deal with it. In my unworthy view, it would be well to clarify the duties of each post. It was Han Xin and Peng Chao who led the campaigns, while Xiao He and Cao Shen administered internal affairs. Each man, inside and outside, had his own role, and all attended to their own duties. You should reflect seriously on the principles that made Lian Po and Lin Xiangru put aside their personal differences, and the approach that had Chen Ping and Zhou Bo be on friendly terms with each other. Ensure that there is harmony among the ministers and no cause for divisions, and then you can achieve 'the preservation of the great appointment, and the firm establishment of one's merit'. When I look at the people who have surrendered to us recently, I only see beasts in human forms, greedy to the point of disowning their relatives. I fear it will be difficult to inspire them with the values of righteousness." Yin Hao did not listen to him. This Kong Yan was the nephew of Kong Yu.

The matters of Liu Bang's generals and ministers are mentioned in the Biography of Emperor Gao of Han. When Cao Can (Shen) served Liu Bang, he first followed Han Xin in using troops, and afterwards returned to Liu Bang, but never once interfered in internal afffairs. Kong Yan speaks of Xiao He and Cao Can following each other in succession.

Lian Po's and Lin Xiangru's initial frosty but later friendly relationship is mentioned in Book 4, in King Nan of Zhou's thirty-sixth year (277 BC).

Chen Ping's and Zhou Bo's arrangement is mentioned in Book 13, in Empress Lu's seventh year (181 BC).

穆然 means to maintain a harmonious and tranquil appearance.

Kong Yan wished for Yin Hao and Huan Wen to both put aside their suspicions of each other, submit their hearts towards mutual understanding, and develop a plan for helping the affairs of state together. In the Zuo Commentary (Xuan 11.3), King Zhuang of Chu mentions the seven merits of martial valor, and Kong Tan lists two of these: the preservation of the great appointment, and the firm establishment of one's merit.

The defectors whom Kong Tan suspects in his lungs and liver were Duan Kan, Zhang Yu, and Yao Xiang.

Lian Po and Lin Xiangru were two ministers of the state of Zhao during the Warring States era; Lian Po was one of the chief generals, while Lin Xiangru was a top official. Although they initially clashed, they later became close friends.

6. Yin Hao petitioned to lead a campaign to reclaim Xuchang and Luoyang for Jin; the court gave its assent. He appointed the General Who Maintains the West, Xie Shang, and the General of the Household of the North, Xun Xian, as Protectors, and they advanced to camp at Shouchun.

It was earlier mentioned that the Zhao general Zhang Yu had surrendered the city of Xuchang to Jin. During this campaign, Xie Shang was unable to mollify Zhang Yu. Zhang Yu became agitated, he seized control of Xuchang and rebelled, and he sent his general Shangguan En to seize Luoyang. Yue Hong attacked the Protector Dai Shi at Cangyuan, and Yin Hao's army was unable to advance.

In the third month, Yin Hao ordered Xun Xian to defend Huaiyin, putting him in command of Qingzhou military affairs, and also made him Inspector of Yanzhou. Xun Xiao’s base was at Xiapi.

《晉志》曰：四中郎將，並後漢置，歷魏及晉並有其職，江左彌重。時謝尚鎭壽春，荀羨鎭京口，浩欲兩道俱進，故使二人並爲督統，各統其方之兵。

The Records of Jin states, "The Generals of the Household of the Four Directions were all formed during Later Han. Cao-Wei and Jin also maintained these offices, and they became even more important after Jin fled across the Yangzi." At this time, Xie Shang was guarding Shouchun, and Xun Xian was guarding Jingkou. Yin Hao wished to advance along two routes at once, and so he appointed both of them as Protectors, for each of them to command soldiers in their own sections.

乙巳，燕王俊還薊，稍徙軍中文武兵民家屬於薊。

7. On the day Yisi (April 16th), Murong Jun returned to Ji, and he moved a few of his ministers, officers, soldiers, and common families to Ji as well.

自北徙其家屬而南，又恐其懷居而無樂遷之心，故稍徙之。

By forcing these families to relocate from north to south, Murong Jun feared he would cause them to miss their old residences and not to be happy about the relocation in their hearts, so that is why he only moved a few of them.

8. Yao Yizhong had forty-two sons. At this time, he became ill. He said to his sons, "The Shi clan gave me their benevolence, and I had wished to exert myself on their behalf. But now the Shi clan is extinguished, and the Central Plains is without a lord. When I die, you must go over to Jin; conduct yourselves as loyal ministers, and do nothing that is unjust!" Yao Yizhong then passed away.

His son Yao Xiang kept the death a secret and did not go into mourning. He first marched south with sixty thousand families, attacking Yangping, Yuancheng, and Faqian, breaking through all of them, until he camped at Que’ao Ford. He appointed Wang Liang of Taiyuan as his Chief Clerk, Yin Chi of Tianshui as his Marshal, and Xue Zan of Taiyuan and Quan Yi of Eyang as his army advisors. Yao Xiang fought with the Qin soldiers, but was defeated by them, and lost thirty thousand families. He continued marching south until he reached Xingyang; only then did he begin the mourning rituals for his father.

There was an incident when he was fighting against the Qin generals Gao Chang and Li Li at Matian. During this battle, his horse was shot from under him. His younger brother Yao Chang offered his own horse to him. Yao Xiang objected, "How then will you escape?" Yao Chang replied, "So long as you are alive, Elder Brother, they will not dare to harm me!" But their reinforcements then arrived, and they both escaped.

Yin Chi fled to Qin, who appointed him as Inspector of Bingzhou; he was stationed at Puban.

During Han, Yuancheng County had been part of Wei commandary; during Jin, it was part of Yangping commandary.

During Han, Fagan County was part of Dong commandary; during Jin, it was also part of Yangping commandary. Liu Xu remarked, "Shen County in Tang's Weizhou was known as Yangping County during Han."

The city of Que'ao had been part of Chiping County in Dong commandary since Han. It was southwest of a crossing over the Yellow River, so it was also called Que'ao Ford. Northern Wei formed Jizhou around the city of Que'ao. Du You remarked, "The city of Que'ao is the same one in our modern Jiyang commandary. 碻 is pronounced 'kiao (k-iao)'; 磝 is pronounced 'ao'." But Yang Zhengheng remarked, "碻 is pronounced 'wao (w-ao)'; 磝 is pronounced 'kao (k-ao)'." And Mao Huang remarked, "碻 is pronounced 'qiao (q-iao)'; 磝 is pronounced 'niao (n-iao'." And others claim, "碻 is pronounced 'que'; 磝 is pronounced 'yao'."

The Registry of Surnames states, "The surname 權 Quan comes from the descendants of Zhuan Xu. King Wu of Chu sent Dou Min to govern Quan, and the surname derived from this. On Han Yu's "Tomb Stele for Quan Deyu" it states, "The son of Yin Wuding surrendered his title at Quan. Quan was a state between the Yangzi and the Han Rivers. After the Zhou dynasty declined, it was absorbed by Chu, and the fief became the Lordship of Quan."

瓚 is pronounced "zan (z-an)".

Gao Chang and Li Li were originally Zhao generals. They had gone over to Qin, and this is why they were considered Qin generals. Between Xingyang and Luoyang, there were places named Doutian ("bean field") and Matian ("hemp field"), which were each named after the skills practiced by the people living there.

襄遂帥眾歸晉，送其五弟為質。詔襄屯譙城，襄單騎渡淮，見謝尚於壽春。尚聞其名，命去仗衛，幅巾待之，歡若平生。襄博學，善談論，江東人士皆重之。

9. Yao Xiang led his forces into Jin, sending the Jin court five of his younger brothers as hostages. The court ordered Yao Xiang to garrison at Qiao.

Yao Xiang rode alone on horseback, crossing over the Huai River, to visit Xie Shang at Shouchun. Xie Shang knew Yao Xiang by his reputation, so he sent away his guards and attendants. He received Yao Xiang while wearing a common headscarf, and they welcomed one another as though they were old friends. Yao Xiang was erudite; he was an eloquent speaker, and the people of Jiangdong all respected him.

魏主閔既克襄國，因游食常山、中山諸郡。趙立義將軍段勤聚胡、羯萬餘人保據繹幕，自稱趙帝。夏，四月，甲子，燕王俊遣慕容恪擊魏，慕容霸等擊勤。

10. Since Ran Min had successfully captured Xiangguo, he traveled and feasted all around Changshan and Zhongshan. Zhao's General Who Establishes Virtue, Duan Qin, gathered many Jie and other tribesmen, more than ten thousand, and seized control of Yimu, declaring himself Emperor of Zhao.

In summer, the fourth month, on the day Jiazi (May 5th), Murong Jun sent Murong Ke to attack Wei and Murong Ba and others to attack Duan Qin.

11. Ran Min planned to do battle with the Yan army. His Grand General Dong Run and his General of Chariots and Cavalry, Zhang Wen, both objected, saying, "The Xianbei have won many victories and are keen fighters, and their numbers are many while we are few. Please forebear for a time, until they grow arrogant, and then we may increase the number of troops and then attack them."

But Ran Min angrily replied, "I wish to use this army to pacify Yuzhou and cut off Murong Jun's head. If I hold back from fighting Murong Ke today, what will people say of me?"

The Minister Over The Masses, Liu Mao, and the Specially Advanced, Lang Kai, said to one another, "Our lord will certainly not return from this venture. What use is there for us in waiting here to suffer humiliation?" So they killed themselves.

12. The Wei army marched to Anxi; Murong Ke led his troops there as well. Ran Min headed towards Changshan, and Murong Ke kept on his heels.

On the day Bingzi (May 17th), they encountered each other at Liantai near Weichang. Ran Min's army fought the Yan army in ten engagements, and the Yan soldiers could never best him. Ran Min's ferocity was well-known, and so his troops were heartened, while the Yan soldiers dreaded him. Murong Ke patrolled his camp, saying to his officers and men, "Although Ran Min is heroic, he has no talent for planning; he is the only one to fear! As for his soldiers, by now they must be suffering from hunger and exhaustion. His armored troops are certainly elite, but it’s hard to put them to good use here. They cannot defeat us!"

During Han, Anxi County had been called Anxian, and it was part of Zhongshan commandary. Emperor Zhang of Later Han changed its name. During Tang, its name was changed back to Anxian again, and it was part of Anzhou. The Anxi County that was part of Dingzhou during Tang was known as Lunu County during Han.

Some versions specify that the day of the battle was the Bingzi day.

Weichang County was part of Zhongshan commandary. It had originally been called Kuxing. Emperor Zhang of Han renamed it to Hanchang, and Emperor Wen of Cao-Wei (Cao Pi) renamed it to Weichang. During Tang, it was Tangchang County in Dingzhou. Wei Shou's Geographical Records states, "Liantai was in Wuji County in Zhongshan." Since Jin had abolished Wuji County, Liantai was within the territory of Weichang.

Since Ran Min had mostly infantry while Yan’s soldiers were all mounted, Ran Min led his troops towards the woods. Murong Ke's advisor Gao Kai said, "Our cavalry have the advantage onopen land. If Ran Min gets to the forests, we cannot subdue him. Let us have the light cavalry feign retreat, and lure the enemy onto level ground; then we may attack them." Murong Ke agreed.

Once the Wei soldiers had been lured onto the open ground, Murong Ke split his army into three portions, telling his men, "Ran Min thinks little of his enemies, and is a redoubtable fighter. As he has few troops, he will definitely fight with all his might. I shall keep the central portion here to act as bait. Once the battle has begun, then the rest of you attack from the sides. Then victory shall be assured." He then picked out five thousand of the best archers from among the Xianbei, linked their horses together with iron chains, and placed them in the front in a square formation.

Ran Min soon appeared riding his horse Zhulong (Cinnabar Dragon), a horse capable of riding a thousand li in one day. Ran Min grasped a double-ended spear in his left hand, and a hooked halberd in his right. He plunged into battle against the Yan soldiers, slaying over three hundred of them himself. Soon he noticed a large banner, and, knowing that this was where the Yan headquarters was, he charged towards it; whereupon the other two Yan divisions appeared and attacked from either side, and the Wei army was greatly routed. Ran Min was surrounded by many soldiers. He broke out of the encirclement, riding hard to the east for more than twenty li. But then Zhulong suddenly perished, and Ran Min was taken captive by the Yan soldiers.

The Yan army killed Ran Min's Deputy Director, Liu Qun, during the battle. Dong Min and Zhang Wen were taken captive, and together with Ran Min they were all sent to Ji. Ran Min's son, Ran Cao, fled to seek refuge with Wang Wu at Lukou. Gao Kai suffered a mortal wound during the battle and passed away. Murong Ke moved his base to Changshan; Murong Jun ordered him to guard Zhongshan.

Since Murong Ke had chained his horses together, even if Ran Min's troops had fought to the death, they could never break his formation. Then the two other divisions attacked from either side. With Ran Min's troops being attacked by three enemies, how could they not be defeated?

The Dong Min mentioned here should be Dong Run, and some versions do write it as Run.

Ran Min had first set himself up in the sixth year of Yonghe (350) in Book 98, and he lasted this long before he was vanquished.

13. On the day Jimao (May 20th), Ran Min arrived at Ji. Murong Jun issued a general amnesty. Murong Jun had Ran Min stand in front of him and chastised him thus, "How could a talentless slave like you claim the imperial throne?"

Ran Min replied, "The realm is in chaos, and even an upstart barbarian like you, hardly more than a beast, claims to be emperor. I am a hero of the Central Land, so how could I not assume the throne?"

Murong Jun was enraged, and he ordered Ran Min to be whipped three hundred times before being sent on to Longcheng.

【章：十二行本「何得不」作「何爲不得」四字；乙十二行本同；孔本同；張校同。】

Some versions write 何得不 as 何爲不得.

慕容霸軍至繹幕，段勤與弟思陪舉城降。

14. Murong Ba's army arrived at Yimu. Duan Qin and his younger brother Duan Si offered up the city in surrender, along with their soldiers.

甲申，俊遣慕容評及中尉侯龕帥精騎萬人攻鄴。癸巳，至鄴，魏蔣干及太子智閉城拒守。城外皆降於燕，劉寧及弟崇帥胡騎三千奔晉陽。

15. On the day Jiashen (May 25th), Murong Jun sent Murong Ping and the Commandant of the Capital, Hou Kan, with ten thousand elite cavalry to attack Ye.

On the day Guisi (?), they arrived at Ye, and Jiang Gan and the crown prince Ran Zhi closed the gates of the city to hold out against them. Everyone outside of the city surrendered to Yan, and Liu Ning and his younger brother Liu Chong lead three thousand tribal cavalry to flee to Jinyang.

劉寧，劉顯將也，以棗強降閔。

Liu Ning was one of Liu Xian's generals. He had surrendered to Ran Min at Zaoqiang.

秦以張遇為征東大將軍、豫州牧。

16. Qin recognized Zhang Yu as Grand General Who Conquers The East and Governor of Yuzhou.

18. There was widespread hunger within Ye, and the people had no food; they resorted to cannibalism, and even the old Zhao palace attendants were eaten.

Ran Min’s informal regent, Jiang Gan, sent the Palace Attendant Mou Song and the 詹事 Liu Yi to offer submission to Jin, and to ask Xie Shang to come relieve the siege.

On the day Gengyin (May 31st), Murong Jun sent the General Who Spreads Might, his uncle Murong Jun, the General of the Palace, Muyu Gen, and the Marshal of the Right, Huangfu Zhen, among others, to lead another twenty thousand horse and foot to assist Murong Ping in capturing Ye.

辛卯，燕人斬冉閔於龍城。會大旱，蝗，燕王俊謂閔為祟，遣使祀之，謚曰悼武天王。

19. On the day Xinmao (June 1st), Yan executed Ran Min at Longcheng. A great drought and swarms of locusts suddenly appeared, and as Murong Jun believed that Ran Min's spirit was responsible, he wished to appease it, so he posthumously named Ran Min as Heavenly Prince Daowu.

20. Xie Shang had earlier dispatched Dai Shi to capture Fangtou. When Dai Shi heard of Jiang Gan's plea for aid, he marched from Cangyuan to camp at Ji Ford, and halted Jiang Gan’s envoys there, demanding to be given the Imperial Seal. Liu Yi sent Mou Song back to Ye to report to Jiang Gan. Jiang Gan believed that Xie Shang would not be able to come to their aid, and he hemmed and hawed and could not decide what to do.

In the sixth month, Dai Shi lead over a hundred men to enter Ye, where they assisted the defenses. He deceived Jiang Gan, saying to him, "The invading Yan soldiers are outside the walls, and the roads are not easily traveled, so you would not be able to send the Seal to Jin yourself. If you will give the Seal to me, I will send a rider at once to inform the Son of Heaven. Once he learns that I possess the Seal, then he will believe that you are sincere, and he will certainly send ample men and grain to relieve the city." Jiang Gan, believing this, gave Dai Shi the Seal. Dai Shi then said he was sending his Protector He Rong to gather food, but he secretly gave He Rong the Seal to bring it back to Fangtou.

On the day Jiazi (July 4th), Jiang Gan lead five thousand of his best troops, along with the Jin soldiers, out to offer battle; Murong Ping crushed them, killing four thousand, and Jiang Gan and the rest fled back into the city.

Until this time, the Southland did not possess the Seal, and so the Central Plains could claim, "They have a false Son of Heaven." But at this time, the Seal returned to Jin. We hear the story of how Lin Xiangru returned Bian He's Jade Disc (which later was carved into the Seal) fully intact to Zhao; the King of Zhao promoted him, and he rose from a mere attendant to a chief counselor of state. Now Dai Shi was able to accomplish the same thing with such a priceless treasure as the Seal that had passed down through many dynasties, yet we hear no account that the Jin court gave him any special award or recognition for it. How can this be?

22. Xie Shang and Yao Xiang jointly marched to attack Zhang Yu at Xuchang. Fu Jiàn sent his Prime Minister and Prince of Donghai, Fu Xiong, along with his Grand Guard General and Prince of Pingchang, Fu Jing, to march into Guandong with twenty thousand horse and foot to relieve Zhang Yu.

On the day Dinghai (July 27th), the two sides fought a battle at Chengqiao on the Ying river; Xie Shang and the others were completely routed, and the dead numbered fifteen thousand. Xie Shang fled back to Huainan, while Yao Xiang abandoned his baggage, and escorted Xie Shang to Quepi. Xie Shang then left matters to Yao Xiang. When Yin Hao learned of Xie Shang's defeat, he fell back to camp at Shouchun.

In autumn, the seventh month, Fu Xiong moved Zhang Yu and the people of Chenliu, Yingchuan, Xuchang, and Luoyang, more than fifty thousand households, back with him into Guanzhong. The Guard General of the Left, Yang Qun, was appointed as Inspector of Yuzhou, and charged to defend Xuchang.

Since Xie Shang had been defeated, Yao Xiang knew that Jin was not worth serving, so from this time he began to harbor ambitions of abandoning Jin. Not to mention Yin Hao's efforts to encourage him in that regard!

Zhang Yu controlled Xuchang and Yingchuan; why should he have submitted to the control of another man? Fu Xiong's victorious soldiers were able to compel his people to move, and Zhang Yu's submission to the Fu clan spelled his doom!

趙故西中郎將王擢遣使請降；拜擢秦州刺史。

23. Zhao's former General of the Household of the West, Wang Zhuo, offered his submission to Jin; he was appointed as Inspector of Qinzhou.

王擢自石虎時當秦、隴之任。

Wang Zhuo had served in the Qin and Long regions since Shi Hu's day.

丁酉，以武陵王晞為太宰。

24. On the day Dingyou (August 6th), Jin's Prince of Wuling, Sima Xi, was appointed as Grand Governor.

丙辰，燕王俊如中山。

25. On the day Bingchen (August 25th), Murong Jun returned to Zhongshan.

王午聞魏敗，時鄧恆已死，午自稱安國王。八月，戊辰，燕王俊遣慕容恪、封弈、陽騖攻之，午閉城自守，送冉操詣燕軍；燕人掠其禾稼而還。

26. At Lukou, Wang Wu heard that Wei had been vanquished. By this time, Deng Heng had already passed away. Wang Wu declared himself the Prince of Anguo.

In the eighth month, on the day Wuchen (September 6th), Murong Jun sent Murong Ke, Feng Yi, and Yang Wu to attack Wang Wu. Wang Wu closed the city gates and prepared to hold out, and he handed over Ran Min’s son Ran Cao, who had fled to Lukou, to the Yan army. The Yan soldiers gathered up the grain from the fields before leaving.

慕容恪善用兵，知魯口之未可取，徒久攻以斃士卒，故掠其禾稼，全師而退。金城湯池，非粟不守，孤城之外，春取其麥而秋取其禾，彼將焉仰哉！

Murong Ke was an expert at using soldiers. He knew that Lukou could not be taken yet, and to force the issue would only result in the deaths of his soldiers, so he merely made a raid to harvest all the grain and cereals, and then led all his soldiers back. Even a fortress made of gold with a moat of boiling water cannot be held if it runs out of grain. Outside of this lone city, they could take the millet in the autumn and take the grain in the autumn. The enemy would soon be forced to submit!

27. On the day Gengwu (September 8th), Wei's Colonel of 長水, Ma Yuan, and others opened the gates of Ye and welcomed in the Yan army. Dai Shi and Jiang Gan hung ropes over the sides of the walls and so escaped, fleeing to Cangyuan.

Murong Ping sent the Wei Empress Dowager, Lady Dong, the Crown Prince Ran Zhi, the Grand Commandant Shen Zhong, the Minister of Works, Tiao Mei, and others who had been taken captive, as well as all the royal carriages and articles of clothing, back to Ji. The Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Wang Jian, the Deputy Director of the Left, Zhang Qian, and the Deputy Director of the Right, Lang Su all killed themselves.

Murong Jun, falsely proclaiming that Lady Dong had given the Imperial Seal to Yan, gave her the title of Lady Fengxi ("the lady who offered the Seal"), and named Ran Zhi as Marquis of Haibin. Shen Zhong was appointed as Chief Clerk of the Right to the Grand General. Murong Ping was ordered to defend Ye.

【嚴：「枚」改「攸」。】條，姓也。周亞夫封條侯，其後以爲氏。

枚 Tiao Mei's name should be 攸 Tiao You.

條 Tiao is a surname. Zhou Yafu had been appointed Marquis of Tiao, and his descendants took this as their clan name.

31. When Yin Hao had originally proposed his northern campaign, the General of the Center Army, Wang Xizhi, advised against it, but Yin Hao ignored him. The first campaign having come to nothing, Yin Hao advocated for another attempt.

Wang Xizhi wrote to Yin Hao stating, "Nowadays, we only have this small piece of land in Jiangzuo (East of the River). The realm has been disappointed in us for a long time. To keep exerting oneself in order to gain military glory is really not the thing to do.

“These days, none of the ministers, responsible for either external and internal affairs, have thought things through and planned ahead, and they have exhausted the resources that we must use as a foundation. Each fellow had their own ambitions, but none of them was able to realize anything worth mentioning, and their actions are driving the realm to the brink of collapse. How can those engaged in such action hold themselves above the blame that all within the four seas cast at them? Our armies have been defeated beyond the border, and our resources within are already exhausted.

“We can no more hold on to the desire to protect the lands south of the Huai River. Far better to guard the line of the Yangzi, and command every general to return to defend their old command posts. Let our vassals deal with matters beyond the Yangzi. Let all the officers reflect on their faults, and turn to good administration. Lighten the burden of taxes and corvee labor, and make a fresh start with the people. Only then may we rescue the people from their dire straits!

"Commissioner, you began as a commoner, and were then entrusted with the great task of upholding the realm. Though you were given the task of supervising and commanding the army, you suffered such an embarrassing defeat. I fear none of the worthies of the court will step out to share your blame. If you keep thinking that you didn’t do a good job before and thus you should keep pressing to do things beyond your position, no matter how vast the universe is, you will find no place that will accept you. This is what my limited mind cannot understand."

The people were disappointed because they feared that Jin would not be able to protect itself.

Wang Xizhi means that Yin Hao cannot deflect the blame from himself.

Guarding the line of the Yangzi was the same principle that Wang Dao had proposed to Emperor Yuan (Sima Rui). Among the people discussing things during that time, there were many who mocked this as forgetting about their enemy and enduring a shameful state of affairs, that they should simply abandon the Central Plains. But such a plan as this has never yet failed when the policy is to abide for a time and gather strength, and provide a firm foundation for future actions. If, having suffered a defeat, one accepts personal blame for the loss, and spares the people from taxes and corvee labor, then one may ensure that defeat does not become destruction. This was the same policy which Zhuge Kongming followed after he came to grief at Jieting (Fang's Chronicles, 228.17).

Yin Hao's later removal from power turned out just as Wang Xizhi here predicted.

32. Wang Xizhi also wrote to the Prince of Kuaiji, Sima Yu, saying, "What minister does not wish to honor his lord and help him achieve the grandeur comparable to the former ages? Let alone when a rare opportunity presents itself? But our strength is not yet sufficient to do so. How can you not weigh the pros and cons when handling such a situation? Although the current prospect of doing so is very pleasing, when we examine ourselves, even so the concerns must outweigh the joy. There is no way of knowing when the great achievement may be accomplished, and the most of the remnant peoples of the former rule have been killed.

“Yet we are incessantly pressing labor demands upon the people, and we are drafting men day after day. We are trying to use the meager lands of Wu and Yue to contend with nine-tenths of the realm—how is this not a recipe for disaster? We have not taken honest stock of our limits, refusing to stop until we are destroyed. This is the thing that all in our lands lament, but dare not voice honestly.

“As to the past, reproof is useless; but the future may still be provided against.' I ask that Your Highness reconsider, and first put us in a position where we cannot be defeated. Once our power has grown, then it will not be too late to plan an offensive. But if you do otherwise, I fear that nothing but ruins will be left of our state, and 'the wandering paths of the deer shall not be confined to the woods and haunts'! I ask that Your Highness put aside your 'vacuous and distant delights', and focus on rescuing the people from their plight. Thus may we exchange life for death, and turn calamity into fortune."

Wang Xizhi quotes from the Analects, from the words the madman of Chu, Jie Yu, said to Confucius (18.5).

The Art of War states, "The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy." (4.1)

Wu Zixiu of Wu once said, "I fear that the deer will wander through Gusu." (That is, they would feel free to wander there because the region would be in ruins after the fall of the state.) This was the same idea that Wang Xizhi was expressing here. A marsh without rivers is called a 藪 "haunt".

By "vacuous and distant delights", Wang Xizhi refers to Sima Yu's skill at the practiced disinterest and distantness of Pure Conversation (a popular rhetorical and mystical interest of the time).

九月，浩屯泗口，遣河南太守戴施據石門，滎陽太守劉遯據倉垣。浩以軍興，罷遣太學生徒，學校由此遂廢。

33. In the ninth month, Yin Hao garrisoned at Sikou. He sent the Administrator of Henan, Dai Shi, to capture Shimen, while the Administrator of Xingyang, Liu Dun, was tasked with capturing Cangyuan.

For the purpose of supplying the army, Yin Hao sent away the Imperial Academy students, and the school was thus closed down.

元帝建武元年，始立太學，今復以軍興廢。

The Imperial Academy had been established in Emperor Yuan's first year of Jianwu (317), but was now closed down as a drain on the army.

冬，十月，謝尚遣冠軍將軍王俠攻許昌，克之。秦豫州刺史楊群退屯弘農。征尚為給事中，戍石頭。

34. In winter, the tenth month, Xie Shang sent the Champion General Wang Xia to attack Xuchang, and Wang Xia took it. Qin's Inspector of Yuzhou, Yang Qun, retreated to camp at Hongnong. Xie Shang was promoted to 給事中, and he moved to Shitou.

丁卯，燕王俊還薊。

35. On the day Dingmao (November 4th), Murong Jun returned to Ji.

故趙將擁兵據州郡者，各遣使降燕；燕王俊以王擢為益州刺史，夔逸為秦州刺史，張平為并州刺史，李歷為兗州刺史，高昌為安西將軍，劉寧為車騎將軍。

36. Many of the former Zhao generals who still commanded troops and controlled provinces or commandaries began submitting to Yan. Murong Jun appointed Wang Zhuo as Inspector of Yizhou, and appointed Kui Yi as Inspector of Qinzhou; Zhang Ping was named Inspector of Bingzhou, Li Shi was made Inspector of Yanzhou, Gao Chang was named General Who Maintains the West, and Liu Ning was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry.

On the day Bingxu (?), a man of Zhongshan named Su Lin rose up with troops at Wuji and proclaimed himself the Son of Heaven. Murong Ke returned from Lukou to put down this uprising. In the intercalary month, on the day Wuzi (?), Murong Jun sent the General Who Spreads Might, Muyu Gen, to assist Murong Ke in attacking Su Lin, and together they killed him.

Wang Wu was killed by his general Qin Xing. Lü Hu then killed Qin Xing, and proclaimed himself as the Prince of Anguo.

During Former Han, Anping County had been part of Zhuo commandary. During Later Han, it was part of the Anping princely fief. During Jin, it was part of Boling commandary. During Tang, it was part of Shenzhou.

During Han, Wuji County was part of Zhongshan commandary, but Jin abolished it. The name of the county is written here as 無極, but the 無 Wu was originally 毋 Wu. In Empress Wu (Zetian) of Tang's second year of Wansuitongtian (697), the 毋 character was changed to 無. Strictly speaking, in the text here it should still be written 毋.

In the eleventh month, on the day Dingmao (January 3rd), Murong Jun first began employing the imperial offices. The Chancellor Feng Yi was appointed as Grand Commandant; the Chief Clerk of the Left, Yang Wu, was appointed as Prefect of the Masters of Writing; the Marshal of the Right, Huangfu Zhen, was appointed as Deputy Director of the Left of the Masters of Writing; the Prefect of the Directors of Writing, Zhang Xi, was appointed as Deputy Director of the Right. Many other civil and military ranks were given out as well.

On the day Wuchen (January 4th), Murong Jun officially assumed the imperial title, and a general amnesty was declared. Proclaiming that he had received the Imperial Seal, Murong Jun changed the reign title to Yuanxi. He elevated the posthumous titles of his father and grandfather. Murong Hui, who had been Prince Wuxuan, became Emperor Wuxuan with the temple name Gaozu; Murong Huang, who had been Prince Wenming, became Emperor Wenming with the temple name Taizu.

At that time, messengers from Jin had arrived in Yan. Murong Jun said to them, "When you return, tell your Son of Heaven this: seeing how there is a shortage of eligible candidates, and at the urging of all within the Middle Kingdom, I have proclaimed myself Emperor!"

He changed the name of Sizhou (the province centered on Ye) to Zhongzhou, and constructed terraces at Longdu (the former capital Longcheng). The Administrator of Xuantu, Yi Yi, was appointed as Master of Writing, and charged with directing a committee of affairs.

廆諡武宣王，皝諡文明王。謂中國無主，己爲士民所推，遂承人乏而卽尊位也。趙置司州於鄴。燕初都龍城，時遷于薊，故建留臺於龍城，謂之龍都。

Murong Hui's posthumous title was Prince Wuxuan, and Murong Huang's posthumous title was Prince Wenming.

Murong Jun's remark meant that since the Middle Kingdom currently lacked a ruler, and at the urging of the people, he sought to fill the missing role by assuming the imperial title himself.

Zhao had created the province Sizhou around Ye. Yan's capital was originally at Longcheng. By this time they had moved it to Ji, but the terraces were built at Longcheng, and that is why it was also called Longdu (都 du meaning "capital").

秦丞相雄攻王擢於隴西，擢奔涼州，雄還屯隴東。張重華以擢為征虜將軍、秦州刺史，特寵待之。

39. Fu Xiong attacked Wang Zhuo at Longxi. Wang Zhuo fled to Liangzhou, and Fu Xiong returned to garrison at Longdong. Zhang Chonghua appointed Wang Zhuo as General Who Conquers The Caitiffs and Inspector of Qinzhou, and treated him with special favor.

隴東，漢汧縣地。重華寵待王擢以圖秦、隴，豈知擢非苻雄之敵也。

Longdong was Han's Qian County.

Zhang Chonghua treated Wang Zhuo well because he had designs on the Qin and Long regions. Hardly did he know that Wang Zhuo was no match for Fu Xiong.

是時石季龍西中郎將王擢屯結隴上，為苻雄所破，奔重華。重華厚寵之，以為征虜將軍、秦州刺史、假節. (Jinshu 86)

At this time, Shi Hu's General of the Household Gentlemen of the West, Wang Zhuo, was stationed at Longshang. He was driven away by Fu Xiong, so he fled to Zhang Chonghua. Zhang Chonghua received him and treated him well, and appointed him as General Who Conquers The Caitiffs, Inspector of Qinzhou, and Credential Holder.

1. In spring, the first month, on the new moon of the day Yimao (February 20th), a general amnesty was declared in Jin.

二月，庚子，燕王俊立其妃可足渾氏為皇后，世子曄為皇太子，皆自龍城遷於薊宮。

2. In the second month, on the day Gengzi (April 6th), Murong Jun established his concubine, Lady Kezuhun, as Empress, and made his son by her, Murong Wei, his crown prince. All moved from Longcheng to the palaces at Ji.

爲可足渾后亂燕張本。可足渾，北方三字姓。

This was why Empress Kezuhun was later able to cause trouble in Yan. 可足渾 Kezuhun is a three-character surname from the north.

3. Zhang Chonghua sent his generals Zhang Hong and Song Xiu to link up with Wang Zhuo; together, they lead fifteen thousand cavalry to attack Qin. Fu Xiong and Fu Jing defended against them, and greatly defeated the Liang soldiers at Longli, killing twelve thousand of them and capturing Zhang Hong and Song Xiu. Wang Zhuo abandoned Qinzhou, fleeing to Guzang. Fu Jiàn appointed the General Who Directs The Army Fu Yuan as Inspector of Qinzhou, stationed at Shanggui.

《新唐書‧地理志》：隴州吳山縣有龍盤府、龍盤城。吳山，後魏之南由縣地。疑龍黎卽龍盤也。

The Geographical Records in the New Book of Tang states, "Longpan Garrison and Longpan City are in Wushan County in Longzhou. This Wushan County was Northern Zhou's Nanyou County." I suspect that the Longli mentioned in the text is this same Longpan.

Zhang Chonghua sent Zhang Hong and Zong You to lead fifteen thousand horse and foot to join with Wang Zhuo in a campaign against Fu Jiàn. Fu Jiàn sent Fu Shuo to oppose them, and they fought at Longli. Wang Zhuo and the others were greatly defeated; he himself fled alone on horseback, while Zhang Hong and Zong You were both lost. Zhang Chonghua was in great sorrow for these losses; he put on mourning clothes and held mourning rites for those men and officers lost in the battle, and he sent condolances and asked after all of their families.

5. Zhao's former Guard Colonel, Li Du of Changshan, gathered together several thousand men and rebelled against Yan.

西域胡劉康詐稱劉曜子，聚眾於平陽，自稱晉王；夏，四月，秦左衛將軍苻飛討擒之。

6. Among the tribesmen of the western reaches, a man named Liu Kang falsely claimed that he was the son of the Han-Zhao emperor Liu Yao. He gathered troops at Pingyang and proclaimed himself the Prince of Jin.

In summer, the fourth month, Qin's Guard General of the Left, Fu Fei, campaigned against Liu Kang and captured him.

以安西將軍謝尚為尚書僕射。

7. Jin’s General Who Maintains the West, Xie Shang, was appointed as Deputy Director of the Masters of Writing.

五月，張重華復使王擢帥眾二萬伐上邽，秦州郡縣多應之；苻願戰敗，奔長安。重華因上疏請伐秦。詔進重華涼州牧。

8. In the fifth month, Zhang Chonghua again sent Wang Zhuo with twenty thousand men to attack Shanggui. The counties and commandaries of Qinzhou all went over to him. Fu Yuan attacked Wang Zhuo, but was defeated in battle, and fled back to Chang'an.

Zhang Chonghua then sent a petition to Jin asking for a campaign against Qin. The Jin court proclaimed Zhang Chonghua as Governor of Liangzhou.

Zhang Chonghua again assigned troops to Wang Zhuo, and sent him to attack Qinzhou, which Wang Zhuo took.

Zhang Chonghua then sent a messenger to the Jin court with this petition: "Shi Hu is no more; his ghost wanders through the ashes of his land, where chaos reigns and might makes right. In this situation, one sees an opportunity to act. I am now on the point of sending my vanguard commander, Pei Heng, to march with seventy thousand horse and foot out of this distant place beyond the Long Mountains to go to the former capital, and I only await the majestic might of the heavenly court. The lands east of the mountains are disturbed, and not a sufficient place to make a home of, while Chang'an is a rich and fertile place; it should quickly be pacified and swept clear. I hold my current post in the western wastes, in mountains and rivers distant and remote. Were I to swear a great oath before the six armies, that would still be inferior to hearing and accepting an imperial command; my valiant generals are of hawkish display, but they have not yet heard report of this success. I gaze up at the clouds, hoping to see the sun; stirred up by the wound to righteousness, I grasp my sword with passion and determination, with my inner feelings about to burst." Upon receiving this petition, Empress Dowager Kangxian (Chu Suanzi) sent back an edict in response, advancing Zhang Chonghua to the rank of Governor of Liangzhou.

燕主俊遣衛將軍恪討李犢，犢降，遂東擊呂護於魯口。

9. Murong Jun sent the Guard General, Murong Ke, to campaign against the rebel Li Du. Li submitted, and Murong Ke returned east to attack Lü Hu at Lukou.

六月，秦苻飛攻氐王楊初於仇池，為初所敗。丞相雄、平昌王菁帥步騎四萬屯於隴東。

10. In the sixth month, the Qin general Fu Fei attacked the Di ruler of Chouchi, Yang Chu, but he was defeated by Yang Chu. Fu Xiong and Fu Jing brought forty thousand horse and foot to camp at Longdong.

楊初據險以拒秦，秦兵雖強，故爲初所敗。

Yang Chu held the passes against Qin. Although the Qin soldiers were strong, this is why they were defeated by Yang Chu.

11. It was earlier mentioned that, after Qin had sent reinforcements to Xuchang to reinforce the general Zhang Yu against Yin Hao’s army, Zhang Yu had gone back to Guandong with the Qin army.

Fu Jiàn made Zhang Yu's stepmother, Lady Han, one of his consorts. In the midst of the ministers, he said to Zhang Yu, "It seems you are now my stepson as well." Zhang Yu was insulted by this. Since Fu Xiong and the other generals had their troops far away at Longdong, Zhang Yu plotted to recruit men from the nearby areas in Guanzhong and then suddenly snuff out the Fu clan, before offering up the land in submission to Jin.

In autumn, the seventh month, Zhang Yu plotted with the Yellow Gate Attendant, Liu Chao, to secretly attack Fu Jiàn at night. Liu Chao's task would be to open the gate to let Zhang Yu's troops in. But then Fu Jiàn suddenly ordered Liu Chao to move to a distant assignment, and although Liu Chao protested, he had no choice but to go. Zhang Yu, unaware of this development, led his troops to the gate, but the gate would not open. The plot being discovered, Zhang Yu was caught and executed.

This led to further uprisings; Kong Te rose up at Chiyang, Liu Zhen and Xiahou Xian rose up at Hu, Qiao Bing rose up at Yong, Huyan Chi rose up at Sizhu, and Huyan Du rose up at Bacheng. Altogether they had some tens of thousands of men, and each sent messengers to Jin to ask for troops.

During Han, Chiyang County was part of Fengyi. During Jin, it was part of Fufeng. During Tang, it was known as Yunyang County, part of Jingzhao.

During Han, Hu County (鄠 being pronounced "hu") was part of Fufeng. During Jin, it was part of Shiping commandary, and during Tang, it was part of Jingzhao.

During Han, Yong County was part of Fufeng. Tang renamed it to Tianxing County, and it was administered by the Fengxiang Garrison.

During Han, Baling County was part of Jingzhao. Jin changed its name to Bacheng.

The rebel here listed as 喬秉 Qiao Bing is listed in the Chronicles of the Book of Jin as 喬景 Qiao Jing. This was to avoid a taboo name in effect during Tang (when the Book of Jin was written). And 孔持 Kong Chi has been changed to 孔特 Kong Te.

秦以左僕射魚遵為司空。

12. Qin's Deputy Director of the Left, Yu Zun, was appointed as Minister of Works.

九月，秦丞相雄帥眾二萬還長安，遣平昌王菁略定上洛，置荊州於豐陽川，以步兵校尉金城郭敬為刺史。雄與清河王法、苻飛分討孔持等。

13. In the ninth month, Prime Minister Fu Xiong led twenty thousand troops back to Chang'an, and sent the Prince of Pingchang, Fu Jing, to keep peace at Shangluo, while at Fengyangchuan in Jingzhou, the Colonel of Infantry, Guo Jing of Jincheng, was appointed Inspector there. Fu Xiong, the Prince of Qinghe, Fu Fa, and Fu Fei each campaigned against Kong Te and the other rebels.

During Han, the territory of the later Shangluo County was within Hongnong commandary. During Eastern/Later Han, it was part of Jingzhao commandary. In Emperor Wu of Han's second year of Taishi (95 BC), he split it off into Shangluo commandary, and the Fengyang River was within the commandary borders.

The Continued Records of Han states, "The city of Fengyang was in Xi County in Nanyang commandary." In Northern Wei's second year of Tai'an (456), Fengyang County was formed. The Zuo Commentary contains the line, "The marshal raised the people of Feng and Xi" (Ai 4.2); these are the places it refers to. Liu Xu remarked, "Tang's Fengyang County in Shangzhou was the same as Han's Shang County. Jin divided Shang County and formed Fengyang County, so named because of the Fengyang River."

14. Yao Xiang was camped at Liyang. Since Yan and Qin were just becoming strong, he put off plans to attack northward. Instead, he established many military agricultural camps along the Huai River, and trained his soldiers.

Yin Hao was at Shouchun; he hated Yao Xiang's growing strength, so he imprisoned Yao Xiang’s younger brothers. He sent many assassins to kill Yao Xiang, but the assassins all respected Yao Xiang and informed him of the plot instead.

It was earlier mentioned that the Zhao general Wei Tong had defected to Jin along with his troops. He had been appointed by Jin as General Who Maintains The North. After Wei Tong passed away, his younger brother Wei Jing took up his post. Yin Hao arranged for Wei Jing to launch a sudden attack against Yao Xiang with five thousand soldiers. But Yao Xiang killed Wei Jing, and took over his troops. Yin Hao, now greatly afraid of Yao Xiang, sent the Dragon-Soaring General, Liu Qi, to defend Qiao. He ordered Yao Xiang to relocate to Litai in Liang, appointing him Interior Minister of Liang.

Wei Tong's surrender to Jin was mentioned earlier in this book, in the seventh year (351.21).

According to Sima Biao's Records of Commandaries and Fiefs, there was a Lumen Point in Suiyang County. Within this city there was a tall terrace, very fine and broad, and towering to a majestic height; it surpassed all others. It was called Litai. Du Yu remarked, "Lumen was the southern gate of the city of Song." The 續述征記 states, "It had a winding path like a seashell, and that was why it was called Litai ('Shell Terrace')". 蠡 is pronounced like the character ("li"), although the 述征記 says it is pronounced "le (l-e)".

15. Wei Jing's sons and younger brothers travelled back and forth to Shouchun. Yao Xiang became more full of fear and doubt, so he sent his army advisor Quan Yi to Shouchun to speak to Yin Hao. Yin Hao said, “General Yao and I are both royal servants, and we share weal and woe together. But General Yao keeps doing things his way. This is the carriage and the wheel-aids working against each other, and not what I was hoping for!”

《左傳》曰：輔車相依。

In the Zuo Commentary there is this saying, "The carriage and its wheel-aids depend on one another." (Xi 5.9).

Quan Yi replied, “General Yao is an unmatched hero of the ages, with tens of thousands of troops under him. The only reason why he came all this way to offer his services to the House of Jin was because he thought the court was run properly and the chief ministers were wise. Yet you, General, are so quick to believe in slanderous words, and cause this division between yourself and General Yao. In my view, it is you, not him, who is causing this suspicion and distrust.”

Yin Hao said, “General Yao is cavalier in his actions, killing or letting live as he pleases. Furthermore, he has allowed some miscreant among his soldiers to make off with my horse. Is this how a servant of the throne should behave?”

Quan Yi replied, “Since General Yao came to pledge his loyalty to the Jin, how could he possibly kill someone who is innocent? But evildoers have no place under the law. What harm was there in killing them?”

Yin Hao said, “And as for my stolen horse?”

Quan Yi replied, “General, you have said before that General Yao is a bold and wild fellow, difficult to control. You are certainly planning to act against him someday. He was only taking a horse so that he could protect himself.”

Yin Hao said with a laugh, “Now how could that be?”

權翼之言，得浩之情，故笑。史言浩不能綏御新附。

Quan Yi had touched upon Yin Hao's true intentions, and that was why Yin Hao laughed it off. This passage demonstrates how Yin Hao could not keep such a newly arrived vassal appeased.

16. Earlier, Yin Hao had secretly sent men to speak with Qin's generals Liang An and Lei Ruo’er, enticing them to kill Fu Jiàn, in exchange for being given command over Guanyou. Lei Ruo’er pretended to go along with this plot, asking Yin Hao to send troops to link up with him.

Later, when Yin Hao heard of the unrest following the matter of Zhang Yu, and learned that Fu Jiàn's nephew by one of his elder brothers, the General Who Protects The State, Fu Huangmei, had left Luoyang and marched west with his army, he believed that Liang An and the others had carried out the plot.

In winter, the tenth month, Yin Hao marched from Shouchun with seventy thousand men on another northern campaign. He wished to retake Luoyang and recover the imperial tombs. The Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Wang Biaozhi, wrote to the Prince of Kuaiji, Sima Yu, stating his belief that, "Lei Ruo’er and the others have much craft among them; Yin Hao should not be so quick to advance." But this was ignored.

In taking advantage of Liang An's and Lei Ruo'er's supposed killing of Fu Jiàn, Yin Hao did not intend to march through the passes and defiles and capture Chang'an. He only meant to follow in the wake of Fu Huangmei, take Luoyang for himself, and then restore the imperial tombs and gardens. Sima Yu hoped to use this accomplishment to secure himself, and that was why he did not heed Wang Biaozhi's warning. But this was why Huan Wen was able to remove Yin Hao from office and bring Sima Yu under his control.

Yin Hao placed Yao Xiang’s army in the vanguard. Yao Xiang marched his soldiers north; then, when Yin's army was nearby, Yao Xiang hatched a plan to feign retreat during the night, but secretly instructed his soldiers to lay ambushes. When Yin Hao learned of this, he pursued Yao Xiang to Shansang. Yao Xiang's soldiers then suddenly emerged from their ambushes to fight, and Yin Hao was greatly defeated; abandoning his supplies and luggage, he fled to Qiao to defend from there. Yao Xiang killed or captured over ten thousand soldiers; then, after claiming the supplies and weapons that Yin Hao’s army had abandoned, he left his brother Yao Yi to guard Shansang while he marched south again to move back into Huainan.

Sima Yu said to Wang Biaozhi, "It happened just as you said. Even Zhang Liang and Chen Ping could not surpass you!"

山桑縣，前漢屬沛郡，後漢屬汝南郡，晉屬譙郡。按山桑，六朝兵爭，爲渦陽之地，唐爲亳州蒙城縣地。

During Former Han, Shansang County was part of Pei commandary. During Later Han, it was part of Runan commandary, and during Jin, it was part of Qiao commandary. The place in Shansang where the soldiers of the Six Dynasties fought was at Woyang. It was known as Mengcheng County in Tang's Bozhou.

17. In Liangzhou, Zhang Chonghua fell ill. Although his son Zhang Yaoling was only ten years old, he was appointed as Zhang Chonghua's heir, and a general amnesty was proclaimed within Liang's territory.

Zhang Chonghua had an elder brother by his father’s concubine, the Marquis of Changning, Zhang Zuo, who was both brave and knowledgeable, but inclined towards deceit. He ably handled affairs both foreign and domestic, and treated Zhao Zhang, Wei Ji, and Zhang Chonghua's other favored attendants like brothers. The Capital Commandant, Chang Ju, asked that Zhang Zuo be sent away, but Zhang Chonghua told him, "Zhang Zuo is my own Duke of Zhou, and he will support my young son; why do you say such a thing?"

Anyone would need to consider carefully to whom they would entrust their heir, much less Zhang Chonghua!

張祚字太伯，駿之長庶子，博學雄武，有政治之才。駿之二十一年，拜延興太守，封寧侯。(16KCQ)

Zhang Zuo, styled Taibo, was Zhang Jun's eldest son, born of a concubine. He was a learned man and a martial hero, and he was talented in administration. In Zhang Jun's twenty-first year, he appointed Zhang Zuo as Administrator of Yanxing and Marquis of Ning.

耀靈字元舒。年十歲嗣事。伯父長寧侯祚性傾巧，善承內外，初與重華寵臣趙長、尉緝等結異姓兄弟。(Jinshu 86)

Zhang Yaoling was styled Yuanshu. He was ten years old when he succeeded his father Zhang Chonghua. The Marquis of Changning, his uncle Zhang Zuo, was naturally inclined towards deceit. Zhang Zuo was skilled at handling affairs both foreign and domestic, and he had earlier formed close ties with Zhang Chonghua's favored servants, Zhao Zhang, Wei Ji, and others, as though they were all brothers of different surnames.

祚字太伯，博學雄武，有政事之才。(Jinshu 86)

Zhang Zuo, styled Taibo, was both a learned man and a martial hero, and talented in administration.

18. Xie Ai had found favor with Zhang Chonghua after his success defending Fuhan. The people around him became jealous of him and slandered against him, and he was sent away as Administrator of Jiuquan. Xie Ai submitted a petition stating, "With those gaining power through favoritism running affairs, the ducal family will soon be in trouble. Please allow me to come tend to you in the palace." Once there, he said to Zhang Chonghua, "The Marquis of Changning is plotting rebellion with Zhao Zhang and others; you must exile them all."

In the eleventh month, on the day Jiwei (December 21st), Zhang Chonghua's illness grew worse. He personally prepared an order for Xie Ai to be appointed as Guard General, with command over all military affairs, and trusted him with administering the state. However, Zhang Zuo, Zhao Zhang, and others blocked the order from going out.

事見九十七卷永和三年。

Xie Ai's accomplishments defending against the Zhao army were mentioned in Book 97, in the third year of Yonghe (347.8-9).

丁卯，重華卒，世子曜靈立，稱大司馬、涼州刺史、西平公。趙長等矯重華遺令，以長寧侯祚為都督中外諸軍事、撫軍大將軍，輔政。

19. On the day Dingmao (December 29th), Zhang Chonghua passed away. He was posthumously known as Duke Jinglie of Xiping.

His son Zhang Yaoling rose to the throne, claiming as his titles Grand Marshal, Inspector of Liangzhou, and Duke of Xiping. Zhao Zhang and the others forged an edict from Zhang Chonghua, appointing Zhang Zuo as supreme commander over all military affairs, as Grand General Who Nurtures The Army, and as regent over the government.

史言張氏之亂。

This passage shows the turmoil that the Zhang clan now entered.

七年十月，重華寢疾臨春坊，遣左長史馬岌榮拜子靈曜為世子，大赦境內。十一月薨於平章殿，年二十七。葬顯陵。(16KCQ)

In the tenth month of the seventh year (351), Zhang Chonghua took to his sickbed near Chunfang. He sent his Chief Clerk of the Left, Ma Jirong, to confer his son Zhang Yaoling as his heir, and he declared a general amnesty within his domain. In the eleventh month, he perished in the Pingzhang Hall; he was twenty-seven years old. He was buried at Xianling.

重華薨，子靈曜嗣。七年十一月，右長史趙長等矯稱遺令，以祚為使持節、都督中外諸軍事、撫軍太將軍、輔政。(16KCQ)

After Zhang Chonghua perished, his son Zhang Yaoling inherited his offices. In the eleventh month of the seventh year (351), the Chief Clerk of the Right, Zhao Zhang, and others forged a will naming Zhang Zuo as Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Commander of all military affairs, Supreme General Who Nurtures The Army, and regent over the government.

將受詔，未及而卒，時年二十七。在位十一年。私諡曰昭公，後改曰桓公，穆帝賜諡曰敬烈。子耀靈嗣。(Jinshu 86)

Zhang Chonghua was about to accept the offered imperial edict (with the titles that Yu Gui was authorized to grant him), but before he actually did so, he passed away. He was twenty-seven, and had been in power for eleven years. Privately, his posthumous name was first Duke Zhao, and was later changed to Duke Huang. Emperor Mu of Jin gave him the posthumous title Jinglie. Zhang Chonghua's son Zhang Yaoling inherited his offices.

稱大司馬、校尉、刺史、西平公。長等矯稱重華遺令，以祚為持節、督中外諸軍、撫軍將軍，輔政。(Jinshu 86)

Zhang Yaoling was named as Grand Marshal, Commandant, Inspector, and Duke of Xiping. Zhao Zhang and the others forged a will in Zhang Chonghua's hand, naming Zhang Zuo as Credential Bearer, Commander of all military affairs, General Who Nurtures The Army, and regent over the government.

殷浩使部將劉啟、王彬之攻姚益於山桑。姚襄自淮南擊之，啟、彬之皆敗死。襄進據芍陂。

20. Yin Hao dispatched his subordinates Liu Qi and Wang Binzhi to attack Yao Yi at Shansang. Yao Xiang marched from Huainan to attack them, and both were killed. Yao Xiang then advanced and captured Shaobei.

21. During the collapse of Zhao, Zhu Tu of Leling, Du Neng of Pingyuan, Ding Rao of Qinghe, and Sun Yuan of Yangping had each seized control of cities and counties. At this time, they all offered to surrender to Yan. Murong Jun appointed Zhu Tu as Inspector of Qingzhou, Du Neng as Administrator of Pingyuan, Ding Rao as General Who Demonstrates Fortitude, and Sun Yuan as Inspector of Yanzhou. Each were left in control of their personal commands.

23. Yao Xiang crossed the Huai River, camping at Xuyi; he gathered up the refugees, to the number of seventy thousand. He appointed chiefs among them, to supervise them in planting and cultivating silkworms. Yao Xiang sent a messenger to Jiankang to report on Yin Hao's transgressions, while making apologies for his own actions.

The court appointed Xie Shang as Commander of Jiangxi and Huainan affairs, and as Inspector of Yuzhou; he was stationed at Liyang.

盱眙，音吁怡。姚襄所爲僅如此，而晉人已爲之震懼，蓋姦雄所竊笑也。以尚得襄之歡心，旣以招撫之，又以備之。

盱眙 is pronounced "xuyi".

Yao Xiang only did this much, and yet it was already enough to make the people of Jin quiver with fear. Ambitious schemers secretly snickered at that.

Xie Shang had earlier found favor with Yao Xiang, so he hoped to win him back over now, and prepared for it.

24. Liangzhou's Chief Clerk of the Right, Zhao Zhang, and others held a council, where they proposed, "With the challenges of our times yet to be overcome, we must have an adult ruler. Zhang Yaoling is too young, so let us raise up the Marquis of Changning, Zhang Zuo, in his place."

Zhang Zuo had enjoyed the favor of Lady Ma, Zhang Chonghua’s mother, and she granted her permission, so they deposed Zhang Yaoling to become Marquis of Liangning, and gave his former position to Zhang Zuo instead. Zhang Zuo proclaimed himself as Grand Commander, Grand General, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Liang.

Since Zhang Zuo had attained what he had desired, his true nature now emerged. He proved himself to be cruel and abusive. He killed both Zhang Chonghua's consort Lady Pei and Xie Ai.

淫者，烝其君母；虐者，殺裴妃、謝艾。卽此二端，他所淫虐又其餘毒也。

Zhang Zuo was cruel, because he put himself ahead of his lord and his mother; he was abusive, because he killed Lady Pei and Xie Ai. With these two acts as the basis of his reign, his character was soon poisoned by even greater cruelty and abuse.

十二月，趙長等議以靈曜沖幼，世難未夷，宜立長君，廢曜為寧涼侯，立祚為大將軍、護羌校尉、涼州牧。(16KCQ)

In the twelfth month, Zhao Zhang and others held a council where they discussed the matter of Zhang Yaoling being too young to handle such difficult affairs of that time, and proposed setting up an adult sovereign instead. So they deposed Zhang Yaoling as Marquis of Liangning, and named Zhang Zuo as Grand General, Colonel Who Protects The Qiang, and Governor of Liangzhou.

長待議以耀靈沖幼，時難未夷，宜立長君。祚先烝重華母馬氏，馬氏遂從緝議，命廢耀靈為涼甯侯而立祚。(Jinshu 86)

Zhao Zhang held a council, in which he discussed the matter of Zhang Yaoling being too young to handle such difficult affairs of that time, and proposed setting up an adult sovereign instead. Zhang Zuo had already seduced Zhang Chonghua's mother Lady Ma, and so Lady Ma went along with these views. She ordered Zhang Yaoling to be deposed as Marquis of Liangning, and for Zhang Zuo to replace him.

After Zhang Zuo came to power, he declared himself as Grand Commander, Grand General, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Liang. He was a licentious and cruel man, without principle. He had his way with Zhang Chonghua's wife Lady Pei, and he also violated his concubines and even Zhang Jun's and Zhang Chonghua's unmarried daughters. There was no one who did not revolt against him, and whenever people of that land saw one another, they all made fu poems like the "Tribulus On The Wall" poem.

燕衛將軍恪、撫軍將軍軍、左將軍彪等屢薦給事黃門侍郎霸有命世之才，宜總大任。是歲，燕主俊以霸為使持節、安東將軍、北冀州剌史，鎮常山。

24. Yan's Guard General, Murong Ke, the General Who Protects The Army, Murong Jun, and the General of the Left, Murong Biao, all petitioned their lord, stating that the Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Murong Ba, had exceptional talent and should be granted larger roles. During this year, Murong Jun appointed Murong Ba as Commissioner Bearing Credentials, General Who Maintains the East, and Inspector of Northern Jizhou. He was stationed at Changshan.

【嚴：「彪」改「彭」。】冀州刺史鎭信都，今置北冀州於常山。

Murong Biao's given name should be Peng.

Jizhou's Inspector was stationed at Xindu. This was a newly created Northern Jizhou, with its Inspector stationed at Changshan.

1. In spring, the first month, Zhang Zuo proclaimed himself as Prince of Liang. He changed the reign era title from the Western Jin title of the forty-second year of Jianxing to the first year of his own reign era, Heping. He established his wife Lady Xin as Princess, made his son Zhang Taihe his crown prince, ennobled his younger brother Zhang Tianxi as Marquis of Changning, appointed his son Zhang Tingjian as Marquis of Jiankang, and appointed Zhang Yaoling's younger brother Zhang Xuanjing as Marquis of Liangwu. He appointed ministers as in an imperial court, performed the imperial sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, and adopted the rites of the Son of Heaven.

The Master of Writing, Ma Yi, remonstrated with this, but he was dismissed from office. The Palace Attendant Ding Qi also remonstrated, saying, "Our state has, since the time of Duke Wu (Zhang Gui), been loyal servants of Jin, holding fast to faithfulness and humility generation after generation for over fifty years. Because of that, we have been able to fight off a world of barbarians; and even though we have been engaged in military action year after year, the people do not complain of weariness. Your Highness's virtue is inferior to that of the Dukes who came before you, yet now you unveil these plans for great changes. I do not see how this will work. The reason why our soldiers and commoners alike have been willing to give their lives to our cause, and why those from afar flock to join us, is because we have been able to honor the House of Jin. If you raise yourself to be emperor, then everyone will lose their unifying purpose. How, then, can you use the resources of just this small corner of the realm to hold off against all the powerful enemies in the world?" Zhang Zuo was greatly angered, and had Ding Qi executed at the palace gates.

Because the Zhang clan of Hexi had remained loyal to the royal family of Jin, they had maintained the Western Jin reign era title of Jianxing, Emperor Min's last reign era, for over forty years. But Zhang Zuo, in his wild abandon, devised his own reign era title, in violation of his forebearer's policy.

Jiankang commandary had been formed by the Zhang clan. Zhang Mao split it off from Liangzhou.

岌 is pronounced "yi (y-i)".

Zhang Gui's posthumous name was Duke Wu.

By "humility", Ding Qi means the fact that the Zhang clan had not yet gone so far as to establish their own state with themselves as Princes. Zhang Gui had first held the Liangzhou territory in Emperor Hui's first year of Yongning (301), and it had been fifty-four years since then.

Since ancient times, there never has been a lord who, in killing those ministers who criticized him, did not bring himself to ruin.

張祚僭號，追諡桓王，廟號世(祖)〔宗〕。(16KCQ)

When Zhang Zuo claimed the false throne, he posthumously honored Zhang Chonghua as Prince Huan, and his temple name was Shizu (or Shizong).

Acting on the counsel of Zhao Zhang and others, Zhang Zuo claimed the false royal throne in the Qianguang Hall. He issued a general amnesty, and changed the reign era title to the first year of Heping. He honored his wife Lady Xin as Empress, his son Zhang Taihe as Crown Prince, his younger brother Zhang Tianxi as Marquis of Changning, and Zhang Chonghua's youngest son Zhang Xuanjing as Marquis of Liangwu. He also created the imperial offices. In the second month, he honored his ancestors, and made border sacrifices to Heaven and Earth.

In the tenth year of Yonghe (354), heeding the counsel of Wei Ji, Zhao Zheng, and others, Zhang Zuo falsely assumed the imperial title. He raised an ancestral temple, arranged for his dancers to dance in the eight-line formation, and created the hundred imperial offices (all things that were exclusively the Emperor's prerogative). Zhang Zuo sent down an edict stating, "Not so long ago, the royal carriage lost its way, and so the Rong and Di barbarians ravaged the Hua (ethnic Han) people. The Xiongnu, the Jie, the Di, and the Qiang all cherished thoughts of claiming the imperial seal for themselves. Our late Duke Wu (Zhang Gui), using his divine martial talents, quelled the chaos and brought peace and tranquility to the Xia of the west; he paid tribute and offered hospitality to industrious sovereigns, continuing on through the weeks and months without ceasing. His four honored successors took up his noble affair, and in loyalty and honesty they were still more abundant. The whole realm knows that, truly, we were entitled to the abdication of Jin, and it was only out of modesty that we declined the mandate for a time; thus these forty years have elapsed. But the Central Plains are in mourning and turmoil, and the Hua people lack a sovereign. All the people of the Nine Provinces have had no one to whom they could turn to have their hopes fulfilled, nor have the spirits of the land, high and low, had any place to fasten themselves to. This is what compels me to take up the great command, and bring unity to the Four Seas. Unable to say anything to release me from this charge, I shall do my utmost to heed the counsels of my ministers. Thus shall I sweep away the vermin from the two capitals (Chang'an and Luoyang), purge and clear the lands of Zhou and Wei, and then welcome the Emperor at the old capital, where I shall beg forgivess for my crime of imperial presumption. When I consider the numerous portents, they all align with this new beginning."

Zhang Zuo changed the reign era title from the Western Jin title of the forty-second year of Jianxing to the first year of his own reign era, Heping. He granted an amnesty except for those sentenced to death, he granted silks to widows and widowers, and he advanced the titles of all civil and military officials by one rank.

Zhang Zuo honored his great-grandfather Zhang Gui as Prince Wu, his grandfather Zhang Shi as Prince Zhao, his great-uncle Zhang Mao as Prince Cheng, his father Zhang Jun as Prince Wen, and his younger brother Zhang Chonghua as Prince Ming. Zhang Zuo established his wife Lady Xin as Empress, and ennobled his younger brother Zhang Tianxi as Marquis of Changning. Of his sons, he made Zhang Taihe his Crown Prince, and made Zhang Tingjian the Prince of Jiankang. He appointed Zhang Yaoling's younger brother Zhang Xuanjing as Marquis of Liangwu.

That night, there was a brilliance in the heavens like a carriage canopy, there was a sound like a thunderbolt, and there was a rumbling that shook the cities and towns. The next day, there was a great wind that uprooted trees. Several other natural disasters were witnessed, and so Zhang Zuo's wild cruelty became even greater.

Zhang Zuo's Master of Writing, Ma Yi, forcefully remonstrated with him and was stripped of office. The Palace Attendant Ding Qi also remonstrated, saying, "The late Dukes all held fast to loyal authority, and venerated the royal clan in Wu and Kuaiji from afar. They modestly held the charge that was given to them, and because of their actions of the last fifty years, the common people have all craned their necks and stood on their toes as they looked hopefully to the west. All within the Four Seas have remembered Great Liang in their hearts, and Heaven itself condescends to approve of us. The soldiers have fought and died on our behalf because of the high principles and 彭昆 that the late Dukes possessed; exceedingly loyal in their western border post, their sincerity and openness was far-reaching, and they kept to their appointed authority without turning away from it. Because of that, though we have only the soldiers of a single province, we have been able to fight off a sky-full of barbarians; and even though we have been engaged in military action year after year, the people do not complain of weariness. Your Majesty, although you possess a great sagely heroism sufficient to command the armies and achieve a great venture, your virtue is inferior to that of the Dukes who came before you, yet now you unveil these plans for great changes. I do not see how this will work. The reason why the Hua and Yi have bound themselves to Great Liang, and soldiers of righteousness have come from a thousand li away to serve under us, was because of Your Majesty served the original court. If you raise yourself to be emperor, then that is to turn people to a mere contest of strength. In that case, can you use the resources of just this small corner of the realm to become the leader of the Middle Kingdom? You would forfeit the safety of your high walls and cede the advantage to the enemy. Your Majesty, I pray you reconsider this." Zhang Zuo was greatly angered, and had Ding Qi executed at the palace gates.

Zhang Zuo sent his general He Hao to lead an army in campaign against the tribes of Lijian at the southern hills, but the army was greatly defeated and returned.

故魏降將周成反，自宛襲洛陽。辛酉，河南太守戴施奔鮪渚。秦丞相雄克司竹。胡陽赤奔霸城，依呼延毒。

2. It was earlier mentioned that the Wei general Zhou Cheng had defected to Jin with his command. At this time, he rebelled; he marched from Wan to suddenly attack Luoyang. On the day Xinyou (February 21st), the Administrator of Henan, Dai Shi, fled to Weizhu.

Zhou Cheng's submission to Jin was mentioned above, in the seventh year (351.21).

The Commentary on the Water Classic states, "Where the Yellow River flows, on its south is Gong County. In the north it has hills abutting the river, and that is called Yinyuanqiu ("high plain mound"). Below it is a cave, which is called Gongxue ("Gong cave"). It is pronounced ?. North of Qiantongpu, it extends into the River. By the caves are islets, and they are called Weizhu ("Wei islets"). 鮪 is pronounced "wei (y-ui)".

3. Jin’s General of the Center Army and Inspector of Yangzhou, Yin Hao, had launched successive northern campaigns across the last two years, all of which had come to ruin. Much grain and military equipment had thus been exhausted. The General Who Conquers The West, Huan Wen, riding on the court’s displeasure with Yin Hao, submitted a petition listing Yin Hao’s crimes. The court, faced with no other option, dismissed Yin Hao from office and made him a commoner, and he went into exile at Xin’an in Dongyang. From that time on, all matters of state inside or out fell under the sway of Huan Wen.

Dongyang commandary was originally a western region of Kuaiji, under the oversight of a Commandant. In Sun Hao of Eastern Wu's first year of Baoding (266), it became a commandary. Regarding Xin'an County, in Emperor Xian of Han's third year of Chuping (192) it had been split off from Taimo. At that time, its name was written 新安 Xin'an. In Emperor Wu's (Sima Yan's) first year of Taikang (280), its name was changed to 信安 Xin'an. Dongyang commandary became Tang's Wuzhou. Xin'an County was administered by Tang's Quzhou.

This passage shows how the Jin royal family lost control of events, because they had tried to use Yin Hao without accounting for his proper talents.

4. Since his youth, Yin Hao had enjoyed the same reputation as Huan Wen. They were constantly competing with each other covertly, and Huan Wen always looked down on Yin Hao. After Yin Hao was removed from office, though he was melancholy, he did not show that in his speech or countenance. Rather, he often traced the words “What a strange business” with his finger in the air.

This went on for a long time, and then Huan Wen said to his subordinate Chi Chao, "Yin Hao is virtuous and eloquent. If he had been appointed Prefect or Deputy Director of the Masters of Writing before, he would have been good at being a role model for the ministers. The court didn’t employ him properly according to his talents." So Huan Wen arranged for Yin Hao’s appointment as Prefect of the Masters of Writing, and he sent a letter to Yin Hao informing him of it. Yin Hao was happy to receive it. When he was about to send the response off, he worried that there would be some mistake or error, so he kept opening and closing the envelope to check. At the end, he accidentally sent an empty envelope. This greatly enraged Huan Wen, who from then on refused to employ Yin Hao, and he died in exile.

The former Interior Minister of Kuaiji, Wang Shu, was appointed Inspector of Yangzhou.

殷中軍被廢，在信安，終日恆書空作字。揚州吏民尋義逐之，竊視，唯作「咄咄怪事」四字而已。(New Tales 28.3)

After Yin Hao had been dismissed (in 353) and was living in Xin'an (western Jiankang), all day long he kept writing characters in the air. Officials and commoners of Yangzhou, remembering his past favors while he was Inspector (346-350), followed him about secretly and observed him, discovering that he was writing only the four characters 咄咄怪事 "Tut, tut! What a strange business!" (tr. Richard Mather)

二月，乙丑，桓溫統步騎四萬發江陵。水軍自襄陽入均口，至南鄉，步兵自淅川趣武關，命司馬勳出子午道以伐秦。

5. In the second month, on the day Yichou (?), Huan Wen marched out of Jiangling with forty thousand horse and foot to attack Qin. A naval force also sailed from Xiangyang through Junkou, until it reached Nanxiang. The infantry marched from Xichuan to capture Wuguan.

The Commentary on the Water Classic states, "The City of Shedu is in Zhuyang County in Shunyang commandary. The Mian River flows to the northeast, and the Jun River enters the Mian in that county, so the place is called Junkou ("mouth of the Jun River"). During Han, Zhuyang and Nanxiang Counties were both part of Nanyang commandary. During Han's Jian'an era (196-220), the right region of Nanyang commandary was split off as Nanxiang commandary, with those two counties being a part of it. Emperor Wu (Sima Yan) renamed the commandary to Shunyang. But in Emperor Cheng's fourth year of Xiankang (338), its name was restored to Nanxiang.

During Former Han, Xi County was part of Hongnong commandary. During Later Han, it was part of Nanyang commandary. It was the same place as Baiyu from the Spring and Autumn era. Wuguan was west of there. Wen Ying remarked, "Wuguan was a hundred and seventy li from Xi County." Li Xian remarked, "Xi County was the same as our modern Neixiang County in Dengzhou." Northern Wei created Xichuan County, because the Xi River was there. Later Zhou folded it into Neixiang County.

Huan Wen ordered Sima Xun to march his army out from Lianzhou.

燕衛將軍恪圍魯口，三月，拔之。呂護奔野王，遣弟奉表謝罪於燕，燕以護為河內太守。

6. Yan's Guard General, Murong Ke, surrounded Lukou. In the third month, he captured it. Lü Hu fled to Yewang, and then he sent his younger brother Lü Feng to place himself at Yan's mercy. Yan appointed Lü Hu as Administrator of Henei.

8. Murong Jun appointed his uncle Murong Ping as General Who Guards The South, in charge of military affairs for Qinzhou, Yongzhou, Yizhou, Liangzhou, Jiangzhou, Yangzhou, Jingzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, and ordered him to garrison at the Luo River for now. His uncle Murong Qiang was appointed as Vanguard Commander, in charge of Jingzhou and Xuzhou affairs, as well as handling the army affairs around the Huai River, and he advanced to capture Henan.

9. Huan Wen marched north to attack Shangluo, and captured Qin's Inspector of Jingzhou, Guo Jing. He then advanced against Qingni, and took it.

Sima Xun attacked Qin's western border, while Liang's Inspector of Qinzhou, Wang Zhuo, attacked Qin at Chencang in support of Huan Wen.

Fu Jiàn sent his Crown Prince Fu Chang, the Prime Minister Fu Xiong, the Prince of Huainan, Fu Sheng, the Prince of Pingchang, Fu Jing, and the Prince of Beiping, Fu Shuo, with an army of fifty thousand men to Yaoliu to meet Huan Wen's attack. In summer, the fourth month, on the day Yihai (May 30th), Huan Wen and the Qin army fought a battle at Lantian. Fu Sheng plunged into the battle alone on horseback, charging in and out of the fray more than ten times, and killing many Jin soldiers. But through Huan Wen's superior leadership, the Qin army suffered a great defeat.

Huan Wen continued his advance after his victory at Lantian. On the day Renyin (June 2nd), his army reached Bashang near Chang’an. Fu Chang and the others retreated to camp south of Chang'an. Fu Jiàn kept six thousand old or weak men to hold the inner city with him, and sent all thirty thousand elite troops with Grand Marshal Lei Ruo’er and the others to join up with Fu Chang to face Huan Wen.

All the counties around Chang'an began to surrender to Huan Wen, and he issued notices to comfort the people, and to command them to continue living and working as before. They freely welcomed him with meat and wine, and men and women swept the streets for him, while old men wept, saying, "We did not believe we would live to see the Imperial Army return again!"

After Zhao's collapse, Wang Zhuo had gone over to the Zhang clan, and so he was affiliated with Liangzhou.

The Geographical Record states, "Yaoguan was in the south of Lantian County, at the place called Yaoliu. It was the route into Jingzhou." Jin's Records of Roads and Places states, "The pass was in the northwest of Shangluo County." 嶢 is pronounced "yao (w-iao)".

The Commentary on the Water Classic states, "The Bailu Plain is west of the Ba River." The Records of the Three Qins states, "The Bailu Plain is west of Lishan." Wei Shou's Geographical Records states, "The Bailu Plain is in Lantian County in Jingzhao."

11. On the day Wushen (?), Murong Jun granted the General Who Protects The Army, his uncle Murong Junn, the title of Prince of Xiangyang, and the General of the Left, his uncle Murong Peng, the title Prince of Wuchang. The Guard General, Murong Ke, was made Grand Marshal, Grand Commander, Palace Attendant, chief over the imperial secretariat, and Prince of Taiyuan. The General Who Guards The South, Murong Ping, was named as Minister Over The Masses, General of Agile Cavalry, and Prince of Shangyong. The General Who Maintains The East, Murong Ba, was named Prince of Wu. The Worthy Prince of the Left, Murong You, was named Prince of Fanyang. The Regular Attendant of 散騎, Murong Li, was named Prince of Xiapi. The Regular Attendant of 散騎, Murong Yi, was named Prince of Lujiang. The General Who Calms The North, Murong Du, was named Prince of Lelang.

As for Murong Jun’s other brothers, he named Murong Huan as Prince of Yidu, Murong Dai as Prince of Linhe, Murong Hui as Prince of Hejian, Murong Long as Prince of Liyang, Murong Na as Prince of Beihai, Murong Xiu as Prince of Lanling, Murong Yue as Prince of Anfeng, Murong De as Duke of Liang, Murong Mo as Duke of Shi'an, and Murong Lou as Duke of Nankang.

For his sons, he named Murong Xian as Prince of Le'an, Murong Liang as Prince of Bohai, Murong Wen as Prince of Daifang, Murong She as Prince of Yuyang, and Murong Wei as Prince of Zhongshan. He also named the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Yang Wu, as Minister of Works, though he still kept his role as Prefect of the Masters of Writing.

【嚴：「咸」改「臧」。】參考後卷，「咸」，當作「臧」。

Murong Xian's given name should be Zang. If you consult later chapters, he is called Murong Zang, and it should be the same here.

及俊僭稱尊號，封垂吳王，徙鎮信都，以侍中、右禁將軍錄留台事，大收東北之利。(Jinshu 123.2)

When Murong Jun falsely assumed the imperial title, he appointed Murong Chui as Prince of Wu, and sent him to guard Xindu. He was appointed as Palace Attendant and General of the Right 禁 in handling the affairs of the administrative field office, and he brought great benefit to all the northeast.

12. It was around this time that Murong Jun changed his brother Murong Ba’s name to Murong Chui. Murong Jun further had him sent away to govern Xindu. When he and Murong Ba were still children, their father Murong Huang had greatly favored Murong Ba for his talents, and this was why he named him Murong Ba (霸 Ba means “hegemon” or “conqueror”). Murong Huang had even considered making Murong Ba his heir, but his ministers persuaded him against this. However, he granted Murong Ba more favors than he did the Crown Prince.

Murong Jun had resented his brother for this. At this time, since Murong Ba had once lost a tooth, Murong Jun renamed him Murong Que (for "missing"), but upon learning that this was an auspicious term, he further renamed him to Murong Chui. He originally made Murong Chui a Palace Attendant, making him handle palace affairs, and then sent him away to guard Longcheng. But when Murong Chui began to receive the regard of the people of the northeast, Murong Jun became even more jealous of him, so he recalled him.

去年霸治常山。儁雖忌垂，卒之復燕祚者垂也。天之所置，其可廢乎！

The previous year, Murong Ba had been governing Changshan.

Though Murong Jun suspected Murong Chui, it was Murong Chui himself who would restore the fortunes of Yan. What man can overturn what Heaven has ordained?

When Murong Chui was young, he often went hunting, and once while hunting his horse fell on him and knocked out a tooth. After Murong Jun came to the throne of Yan, he changed Murong Ba's name to Murong Que, which means "lacking". Ostensibly this was in recognition of the gap because of the tooth, but really it was because Murong Jun envied Murong Ba. But soon, when he saw the character for Que was part of a prophecy, he dropped the 夬 from it, and so Murong Ba's name became 垂, Chui. (The character Que cannot be printed on this form; it is the two characters 垂夬 combined.)

五月，江西流民郭敞等執陳留內史劉仕，降於姚襄。建康震駭，以吏部尚書周閔為中軍將軍，屯中堂，豫州刺史謝尚自歷陽還衛京師，固江備守。

13. In the fifth month, more than a thousand Jiangxi refugees under Guo Chang and other refugees took captive Jin’s Interior Minister of Chenliu, Liu Shi, and offered up the city to Yao Xiang. Jiankang was greatly shocked, and the court appointed the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Zhou Min, to be General of the Center Army, to be stationed at Zhongtang. The Inspector of Yuzhou, Xie Shang, also marched from Liyang to defend Jingshi, and to guard the line of the Yangzi.

【章：十二行本「等」下有「千餘人」三字；乙十一行本同；孔本同。】晉南渡後，陳留郡寄治譙郡長垣縣界。按《載記》，劉仕時在堂邑。

Some versions add the phrase "more than a thousand other people" after "Guo Chang and other refugees".

After Jin fled south across the Yangzi, Chenliu commandary was remotely administered from within Zhangyuan County in Qiao commandary. According to the Chronicles of the Book of Jin, at this time, Liu Shi was at Tangyi.

15. There lived a certain Wang Meng of Beihai. As a youth, he was very studious. He was a man of talent and high ambitions, and did not conform to social norms nor worry himself with the minutiae of everyday life. Living a life of leisurely repose, he took up hermitage at Huayin in Guanzhong.

When he heard that Huan Wen's army had entered Guanzhong, he put on coarse clothing and went to be received by that general. They conversed on topics of the greatest importance while Wang Meng was picking fleas out of his hair, as though no one were around to notice. Huan Wen was intrigued by him, so he asked Wang Meng, "I bear the commission of the Son of Heaven, and my hundred thousand soldiers have driven the rebels from the field in order to protect the common people. Yet the heroes of the Three Qins hesitate to receive me; why is this?"

Wang Meng replied, "Duke, you have traveled nearly a thousand li, and are deep within enemy territory. Chang'an is now within your grasp. Yet you hesitate to cross the Ba River. The people are not sure of your intent, and so do not come to you."

Huan Wen for some time could make no reply, until at last he said, "In all the Southland there is no one like you!" And he kept Wang Meng with him as a Libationer, making plans with him.

The Biography of Wang Meng states, "Wang Meng was a native of Ju in Beihai. His family was from Wei commandary. Xu Tong summoned him, but Wang Meng did not come to him; instead, he sought recluse at Mount Huayin." During Former Han, Huayin County had been part of Jingzhao. During Later Han and Jin, it was part of Hongnong commandary. 華 is pronounced "hua (h-ua)".

Wang Meng was able to point out Huan Wen's secret intentions. Namely, that when Huan Wen launched this campaign against Qin, it was really for the purpose of having achievements and successes to bolster his reputation and shore up his position in the Southland. It was not really in order to punish the wicked and rescue the people. Otherwise, why did he not cross over the Ba River and press the attack on Chang'an? It was because Huan Wen had no intention of doing so. This is what I noticed when I look at how Huan Wen used his soldiers: when he campaigned against Qin, he stopped at Bashang; when he campaigned against Yan, he stopped at Fangtou. In both cases, he won initial victories and his soldiers advanced, and they threatened the enemy states they were fighting. But this was followed up by caution and hesitation, waiting to see how things might develop from there, and this led to his ultimate defeats. In this way he was an opportunist. He relied upon his initial victories and his threatening posture against the enemy states, and hoped that this would be enough to make his enemies fear him; then he could await an internal collapse of the enemy state to take advantage of. But even when he went so far as to threaten the enemy capitals, his enemies did not experience any inner turmoil. By adopting this policy of watching and waiting, he only allowed his own power to disappate, while his enemies were able to muster their forces, and this led to his defeat. The essayist Su Ziyou (Su Zhe) always said that "meet intelligence with intelligence", but this sort of intelligence was not to be relied upon.

16. Huan Wen fought another battle at Bailu Plain against Fu Xiong and other Qin officers, and this time Huan's troops were not the victors; their dead numbered over ten thousand.

Huan Wen had originally planned on feeding his troops with grain from the Qin lands. However, the people of Qin cut down all their crops and cleared the fields in anticipation of Huan Wen’s arrival, so his soldiers grew hungry.

In the sixth month, on the day Dingchou (July 7th), Huan's army began to retreat from Guanzhong. He compelled three thousand households to return with him. He offered to make Wang Meng his Protector of High Officials, since he hoped that Wang Meng would return south with him, but Wang Meng demurred.

An office like Protector was even higher than the high officials. During Cao-Wei and Jin, each garrison had its own established staff, and each subordinate general had his Protectors. Later, the office of Protector of High Officials was also established. When Wang Dun was stationed at Wuchang, he had Mou Tan as his Protector of High Officials.

Seeing that Wang Meng would not bear to follow Huan Wen, how could Huan Wen not have wished to put him to death! But Huan Wen's army was newly defeated, and Huan Wen was in a rush to lead his troops in retreat. He had no time to kill Wang Meng.

呼延毒帥眾一萬從溫還。秦太子萇等隨溫擊之，比至潼關，溫軍屢敗，失亡以萬數。

17. The rebel Huyan Du led ten thousand men to follow Huan Wen back to Jin. Fu Chang and the others followed Huan Wen to attack him. When they reached Tong Gate, Huan Wen's army suffered several more defeats, and lost another ten thousand casualties.

溫之屯灞上也，順陽太守薛珍溫徑進逼長安，溫弗從。珍以偏師獨濟，頗有所獲。及溫退，乃還，顯言於眾，自矜其勇而咎溫之持重；溫殺之。

18. While Huan Wen had been camped at Bashang, the Administrator of Shunyang, Xue Zhen, urged Huan Wen to advance to attack Chang’an directly, but Huan Wen would not do it. So Xue Zhen brought his division over the Ba River by themselves, and they captured a few places. Only when Huan Wen’s army retreated did Xue Zhen return. Xue Zhen was constantly talking among the army, puffing up his own importance and courage while faulting Huan Wen for his excessive caution. Huan Wen had him killed.

成帝改順陽曰南鄕郡，旣而復舊。

Emperor Cheng had already restored Shunyang's name to Nanxiang, so Xue Zhen's title should have reflected that here.

21. Fu Xiong was attacking Qiao Bing at Yong. On the day Bingshen (July 26th), he passed away. Fu Jiàn wept and coughed up blood, wailing, "Is it Heaven's wish that I shall not pacify the four seas? Why else has it taken my Yuancai from me so soon?" Fu Xiong was posthumously known as Prince Jingwu of Donghai.

Fu Xiong was further posthumously honored as the Prince of Wei, and his funeral was conducted the same way as Jin's Prince Xian of Anping (Sima Fu). In life, Fu Xiong carried out his orders without difficulties. Although he held high civil and military offices, and was equal in authority to his lord, Fu Xiong remained humble and loving, and respected the law. Thus Fu Jiàn placed great importance upon his brother, often saying of him, "Yuancai is my own Duke of Zhou."

Fu Xiong's son, Fu Jian, inherited his titles. This younger Fu Jian was of a filial nature, and although young, he possessed great ambition; he was learned and very capable, and befriended many people with heroic mettle. Lü Polou, Qiang Wang, and Liang Pinglao of Lüeyang all favored him.

苻雄，字元才。【章：十二行本「勳」下有「位兼將相」四字；乙十一行本同；退齋校同。】堅襲爵東海王。苻堅事始此。

Fu Xiong's style name was Yuancai.

Some versions include the phrase "Fu Xiong held high civil and military offices".

Fu Jian inherited Fu Xiong's title as Prince of Donghai.

Thus began the rise of Fu Jian.

A reminder that this is the first appearance of the more famous Fu Jian, whose name will be written without tone marks.

燕樂陵太守慕容鉤，翰之子也，與青州刺史朱禿共治厭次。鉤自恃宗室，每陵侮禿。禿不勝忿，秋，七月，襲鉤，殺之，南奔段龕。

22. Yan's Administrator of Leling, Murong Gou, was the son of Murong Han. He was governing Yanci jointly with Zhu Tu, the Inspector of Qingzhou. Because Murong Gou was of the royal family, he often lorded it over Zhu Tu. Zhu Tu, no longer able to put up with this behavior, attacked and killed Murong Gou in autumn, the seventh month, and then fled south to Duan Kan.

慕容翰有破高句麗滅宇文之功。爲後燕主誅禿張本。

Murong Han had achieved success from routing Goguryeo and conquering the Yuwen.

23. Fu Jiàn's crown prince, Fu Chang, attacked the rebel Qiao Bing at Yong. In the eighth month, he executed Qiao Bing, and Guanzhong was once again at peace. Fu Jiàn, wishing to reward his commanders for successfully repulsing Huan Wen's invasion, appointed Lei Ruo’er as Prime Minister, Mao Gui as Grand Tutor, Yu Zun as Grand Commandant, the Prince of Huainan, Fu Sheng, as Grand General of the Center Army, and the Prince of Pingchang, Fu Jing, as Minister of Works.

Fu Jiàn was diligent in governance, often soliciting the advice of his nobles and ministers on how to govern well. After the cruel tyranny and extravagant excesses of the Zhao rule, Fu Jiàn provided a new rule of clemency and frugality, and respect for Confucian scholars. Thus the people of Qin were delighted with him.

燕大調兵眾，因發詔之日，號曰：「丙戌舉。」

24. Yan issued a great draft of soldiers. Because the day that the imperial edict went out was the Bingqu day (September 14th), it became known as the “Bingqu Draft”.

九月，桓溫還自伐秦，帝遣侍中、黃門勞溫於襄陽。

25. In the ninth month, Huan Wen returned from his campaign against Qin. Emperor Mu sent the Palace Attendants and Attendants Gentlemen of the Yellow Gate to Xiangyang to welcome Huan Wen.

侍中、黃門侍郎，自魏以來爲要近之職。

Ever since Cao-Wei, the offices of Palace Attendant and Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate were close important offices.

或告燕黃門侍郎宋斌等謀奉冉智為主而反，皆伏誅。斌，燭之子也。

26. In Yan, someone informed Murong Jun that the Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Song Bin, was plotting with others to start a rebellion, using Ran Min’s son Ran Zhi as the figurehead for a restoration. All of them were executed. This Song Bin was the son of Song Zhu.

宋燭見九十六卷成帝咸康四年。

Song Zhu was one of the Yan ministers killed during Zhao's invasion, as mentioned in Book 96, in Emperor Cheng's fourth year of Xiankang (338.12).

秦太子萇之拒桓溫也，為流矢所中，冬，十月，卒，謚曰獻哀。

27. During Fu Chang's pursuit of Huan Wen, he had been struck by a stray arrow. In winter, the tenth month, he passed away from the wound. His posthumous name was Xian’ai.

29. When Huan Wen had entered Guanzhong, Wang Zhuo had sent word to the Prince of Liang, Zhang Zuo, informing him of Huan Wen's great skill in commanding troops. He also reported that Huan Wen's ambition was uncertain. Zhang Zuo, afraid of this estimation, believed that Wang Zhuo himself might be planning to betray him, so he sent an agent to kill Wang Zhuo. But the plot leaked out.

Zhang Zuo became even more afraid, and began drafting a large army, ostensibly to march east to attack Qin, but really to march west so that Zhang Zuo would be able to hold out at Dunhuang if Liangzhou were invaded. However, when Huan Wen went back to Jin, Zhang Zuo canceled the draft.

He then sent his Inspector of Qinzhou, Niu Ba, and others with three thousand troops to attack Wang Zhuo, and routed him. In the eleventh month, Wang Zhuo and his men surrendered to Qin, where he was appointed as Master of Writing, and his assistant Tan Tie was appointed Inspector of Qinzhou.

When Huan Wen had entered Guanzhong, Wang Zhuo was then guarding Longxi. He sent a fast courier to Zhang Zuo, informing him of Huan Wen's great skill in commanding troops. He also reported that Huan Wen's power was uncertain. Since Zhang Zuo was greatly disturbed, and he was worried that Wang Zhuo might make up a charge against him, he summoned Ma Ji back to his former post to discuss things with him. Zhang Zuo secretly sent a retainer to kill Wang Zhuo, but the plot was discovered and the attempt failed.

Zhang Zuo, now even more afraid, began drafting a large army, ostensibly to march east on campaign, but really to march west so that Zhang Zuo would be able to hold out at Dunhuang if Liangzhou were invaded. However, when Huan Wen went back to Jin, Zhang Zuo canceled the draft. Zhang Zuo then sent his General Who Pacifies The East and Inspector of Qinzhou, Niu Ba, and his Infantry Commander Zhang Fang with three thousand men to attack Wang Zhuo, and they routed him. Wang Zhuo fled to Fu Jiàn. In the late autumn of the fifth month, his state cut the young plants, grain crops, and fruits.

秦王健叔父武都王安自晉還，為姚襄所虜，以為洛州刺史。十二月，安亡歸秦，健以安為大司馬、驃騎大將軍、并州刺史，鎮蒲板。

30. Fu Jiàn had earlier sent the Prince of Wudu, his uncle Fu An, to Jin in order to receive the imperial orders. Fu An had attempted to return to Qin, but was captured by Yao Xiang along the way, who made him his Inspector of Luozhou.

In the eleventh month, Fu An escaped and at last reached Qin. Fu Jiàn appointed him as Grand Marshal, Grand General of Agile Cavalry, and Inspector of Bingzhou, and stationed him at Puban.

健遣安來請朝命，見上卷六年。

Fu Jiàn had sent Fu An to the Jin court earlier in Book 98, in the sixth year (350.15).

是歲，秦大饑，米一升直布一匹。

31. During this year, there was a great famine in Qin, and a 升 of rice cost a roll of cloth.

1. In spring, the first month, Yang Songnu, who was the younger brother of the former Duke of Chouchi, Yang Yi, sent his cousin Liang Shiwang to kill the current Duke, Yang Chu. Yang Chu's son, Yang Guo, killed Liang Shiwang and Yang Songnu, and proclaimed himself the new Duke of Chouchi. Huan Wen petitioned for Yang Guo to be appointed as General Who Guards The North and Inspector of Qinzhou.

二月，秦大蝗，百草無遺，牛馬相噉毛。

2. In the second month, Qin was plagued by locusts. All the grass was lost, and the cattle and horses resorted to eating hair off of each other.

3. In summer, the fourth month, Murong Jun returned to Ji from Helong.

Earlier, after the people of Youzhou and Jizhou heard that Murong Jun was going east and before he had returned, disturbances broke out, and they banded together. The ministers asked Murong Jun to campaign against this, but he said to them, "This is merely the cause of a few miscreants who, hearing that I was going east on patrol, thought that they could take the chance to stir up some chaos. Now that I have returned, they will settle down on their own, so there is no need for a campaign."

燕主如龍城，見上卷上年。和龍直薊之東。

Murong Jun went to Longcheng in the last year (354) of the previous book (Book 99).

Helong was east of Ji.

蘭陵太守孫黑、濟北太守高柱、建興太守高甕/瓫及秦河內太守王會、黎陽太守韓高皆以郡降燕。

4. Among those former Zhao officials who had still not yet gone over to anyone, the Administrator of Lanling, Sun Hei, the Administrator of Jibei, Gao Zhu, the Administrator of Jianxing, Gao Weng/Pen, Qin’s Administrator of Henei, Wang Hui, and the Administrator of Liyang, Han Gao, all submitted to Yan.

瓫，蒲奔翻。史言燕強，諸反側子皆附之。

瓫 is pronounced "pen (p-en)".

This passage demonstrates that because of Yan's strength, all these holdouts went over to it.

I have seen the Administrator of Jianxing’s name here written as either 甕 Weng or 瓫 Pen.

5. Qin's Prince of Huainan, Fu Sheng, had been blind in one eye since childhood, and he possessed an explosive temperament.

His grandfather Fu Hong had once teased him by asking, "I heard you only cry from one eye; is it true?"

Fu Sheng, angry, pulled out the blade he was carrying and drew blood from himself, saying, "This is how the other eye sheds tears." Fu Hong was greatly angered by this, and whipped Fu Sheng. Fu Sheng said, "I can shrug off any sword or spear, only spare me your lashing!"

Fu Hong warned his son Fu Jiàn, "This wild child will bring harm to you; deal with him before he destroys your family."

So Fu Jiàn planned to kill Fu Sheng, but his younger brother Fu Xiong objected, saying, "When he grows up, he will change his ways; how can you think of doing this?" Fu Sheng grew up to be a powerful warrior. He was able to wrestle with wild beasts, and run as fast as a galloping horse. He was skilled in fighting with the sword and the bow.

After the untimely death of Crown Prince Fu Chang, Empress Qiang wanted to appoint the Prince of Jin, Fu Liu, as the heir. However, Fu Jiàn believed in a prophecy stating that "three goats have five eyes", so he made Fu Sheng his crown prince instead. The Minister of Works and Prince of Pingchang, Fu Jing, was appointed Grand Commandant; the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Wang Duo, was appointed the new Minister of Works; the Colonel Director of Retainers, Liang Leng, was appointed the new Prefect of the Masters of Writing.

秦太子萇，諡曰獻哀。爲苻生以凶暴不克紹張本。楞，盧登翻。

Crown Prince Fu Chang was posthumously known as Prince Xian'ai ("the Mourned"), as was mentioned in the last book.

It was because of Fu Sheng's brutality that he did not last very long on the throne.

楞 is pronounced "leng (l-eng)".

姚襄所部多勸襄北還，襄從之。五月，襄攻冠軍將軍高季於外黃，會季卒，襄進據許昌。

6. Many of Yao Xiang's followers urged him to march north again, and he heeded their advice. In the fifth month, he attacked Jin’s Champion General Gao Ji at Waihuang. Gao Ji was killed, and Yao Xiang advanced and captured Xuchang.

外黃縣，自漢以來屬陳留郡。賢曰：外黃故城在今汴州雍丘縣東。

Since Han times, Waihuang County had been in Chenliu commandary. Li Xian remarked: "The old city of Waihuang was in the eastern part of Yongqiu County in modern Bianzhou."

7. In the sixth month, on the day Bingzi (July 1st), Fu Jiàn became deathly ill.

On the day Gengchen (July 5th), the Prince of Pingchang, Fu Jing, led troops and entered the Eastern Palace, intending to kill Fu Sheng and take the throne in his place. However, at that time, Fu Sheng was attending to Fu Jiàn’s illness in the Western Palace. Fu Jing believed that Fu Jiàn had already died, so he attacked the Dongye Gate. When Fu Jiàn heard of this development, he presented himself at the gate, and led the soldiers in defending it. When Fu Jing’s men saw Fu Jiàn, they became afraid, and they abandoned Fu Jing. Fu Jiàn seized Fu Jing, outlined his crimes, and then killed him alone, while sparing the rest.

【章：十二行本「公」作「王」；乙十一行本同；孔本同。】秦主所居爲西宮。

In the phrase "Prince of Pingchang", some versions say "Duke" instead of "Prince".

The Western Palace was the residence of the lord of Qin (as opposed to the Eastern Palace, which was the residence of the Crown Prince).

8. On the day Renwu (July 7th), the Grand Marshal and Prince of Wudu, Fu An, was placed in command of all military affairs.

On the day Jiashen (July 9th), Fu Jiàn appointed as a council of regents the Grand Tutor, Yu Zun, the Prime Minister, Lei Ruo'er, the Grand Commandant, Mao Gui, the Minister of Works, Wang Duo, the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Liang Leng, the Deputy Director of the Left, Liang An, the Deputy Director of the Right, Duan Chun, and the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Xin Lao.

Fu Jiàn told his son Fu Sheng, "Of the chiefs and generals of the tribes, and the powerful ministers, if any of them does not heed your orders, gradually do away with them."

苻雄死，健以菁都督中外諸軍；菁以逆誅，以安代之。爲苻生虐殺大臣張本。

After Fu Xiong's death, Fu Jiàn had appointed Fu Jing as Commander over military affairs. Now that Fu Jing had been executed, Fu An was appointed in his place.

This was why Fu Sheng later slaughtered these high ministers.

臣光曰：顧命大臣，所以輔導嗣子，為之羽翼也。為之羽翼而教使剪之，能無斃乎！知其不忠。則勿任而已矣。任以大柄，又從而猜之，鮮有不召亂者也。

9. Your servant Sima Guang remarks: The purpose of appointing such ministers is to assist the new prince, so that they might act as his wings. To give a prince such wings and then instruct him to clip them; how could they not perish? If Fu Jiàn did not trust them, he should not have appointed them to such roles. But having appointed them, to encourage doubts and second-guessing against them only made him cause more trouble.

From time to time, Sima Guang provides his own commentary on the historical narrative. He usually does so to praise or criticize some person, or otherwise offer moral judgment on events.

10. On the day Yiyou (July 10th), Fu Jiàn passed away. His posthumous name was Emperor Jingming, and his temple name was Gaozu.

On the day Bingxu (July 11th), the Crown Prince Fu Sheng rose to the throne. He declared a general amnesty, and changed the reign era title to Shouguang. The ministers counseled him, "It is inauspicious to change the reign era title before being on the throne for a year." Fu Sheng was angered by this; he conducted a thorough investigation to find the originator of this proposal, and found that it was the Deputy Director of the Right, Duan Chun, so he killed Duan Chun.

年三十九。苻生，字長生，健第三子也。古禮，君薨，世子卽位，旣踰年而後稱元年。

Fu Jiàn was thirty-nine when he died.

Fu Sheng, styled Changsheng, was Fu Jian's third son.

It was ancient tradition that after a ruler was buried, his eldest son would inherit his throne, and at the beginning of a new year would declare a new reign era title.

秋，七月，以吏部尚書周閔為左僕射。

11. In autumn, the seventh month, Jin’s Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Zhou Min, was appointed Deputy Director of the Left.

12. In Jin, someone said to Sima Yu, "The Prince of Wuling has been gathering weapons and equipment. He must be plotting something unusual soon."

Sima Yu went to the Master of Ceremonies, Wang Biaozhi, who said to him, "The Prince of Wuling's desire is only to ride around and hunt, nothing more. I pray that you be at ease, so that the rumors may be put to rest. Do not speak of this again!" Sima Yu agreed with him.

武陵王晞也。爲武陵終以此得禍、彪之所不能救張本。

The Prince of Wuling was Sima Xi.

This was why the Prince of Wuling later met with misfortune, and Wang Biaozhi was unable to save him.

秦主生尊母強氏曰皇太后，立妃梁氏為皇后。梁氏，安之女也。以其嬖臣太子門大夫南安趙韶為右僕射，太子舍人趙誨為中護軍，著作郎董榮為尚書。

13. Fu Sheng honored his mother, Lady Qiang, as Empress Dowager. He honored his wife, Lady Liang, as Empress. This Lady Liang was the daughter of Liang An.

Among Fu Sheng’s personal servants from his time as Crown Prince, he appointed Zhao Shao of Nan'an as Deputy Director of the Right, the Crown Prince’s Attendant, Zhao Hui, as Protector of the Army of the Center, and the 著作郎, Dong Rong, as Master of Writing.

《續漢志》：太子門大夫二人，職比郎將。

The Continued Records of Han states, "The two 大夫 of the Crown Prince's servants act as 郎將s."

14. The Prince of Liang, Zhang Zuo, was cruel and without principle. People of all positions despised him. He hated the power held by the Inspector of Hezhou, Zhang Guan, so he sent the Administrator of Zhangye, Suo Fu, to take over the command of Fuhan in Zhang Guan's place, while he ordered Zhang Guan to campaign against rebellious barbarians. Zhang Zuo then sent his generals Yi Chuai and Zhang Ling with thirteen thousand horse and foot to attack Zhang Guan.

A man of Zhangye, Wang Luan, who was skilled in divination warned Zhang Zuo, "If this army goes out, it will certainly shall not return. Then Liang will soon face great peril." And then he listed three ways in which Zhang Zuo acted wrongly. Zhang Zuo became so angry that he accused Wang Luan of treasonous talk, and had him put to death. As Wang Luan was being lead to his execution, he said, "So sure as I die, the army without will be defeated, and the lord within will die; this is certain!" Zhang Zuo extinguished his clan as well.

When Zhang Guan heard the news of all these events, he executed Suo Fu and began raising troops to attack Zhang Zuo. He sent out proclamations among the provinces and commandaries, declaring his intent to depose Zhang Zuo and send him back to his title of Marqius, and restore the former ruler, the Marquis of Liangning, Zhang Yaoling, to his original authority. Zhang Guan attacked Yi Chuai and Zhang Lun's army as it was crossing the Yellow River, and defeated them. Yi Chuai and a few others escaped alone on horseback. Zhang Guan pursued their retreating forces, and Guzang was gripped by fear.

The General of Valiant Cavalry, Song Hun of Dunhuang, and his elder brother Song Xiu, also had their problems with Zhang Zuo, and feared disaster. In the eighth month, Song Hun and his younger brother Song Deng marched west, gathering an army of more than ten thousand soldiers to aid Zhang Guan, before they all marched towards Guzang.

Zhang Zuo sent Yang Qiuhu to take Zhang Yaoling to the Eastern Garden, where Yang Qiuhu bent Zhang Yaoling backwards at the waist until his spine snapped, killing him; he was buried in the sand, and his posthumous name was Duke Ai (“the Lamented”).

張駿置河州，治枹罕。索，昔各翻。枹，音膚。易，讀如字，姓也。揣，初委翻。玲，盧經翻。曜靈廢見上卷上年。

Zhang Guan created the province of Hezhou, which was administered from Fuhun.

索 is pronounced "Xe (x-e)". 枹 is pronounced "Fu". 易 is read like the character (yi), and is a surname. 揣 is pronounced "chuai (ch-ei)". 玲 is pronounced "ling (l-ing)".

Zhang Yaoling's deposition was described in the last year of Book 99 (353.24).

In the second year, there was a spirit that descended at Xuanwu Hall. It called itself Xuanming, and it talked with people. Zhang Zuo prayed to it day and night, and the spirit spoke with him of fortune and blessings, so Zhang Zuo deeply trusted it.

The General Who Conquers The East, Zhang Guan, dispatched soldiers to spread a proclamation, stating his intention to depose Zhang Zuo and exile him to his fief, and to restore Zhang Yaoling. In the eighth month, Zhang Zuo arrested Zhang Guan's younger brother Zhang Ju, his son Zhang Song, and others.

The General of Agile Cavalry, Song Hun, and his older brother Song Xiu had long had points of contention with Zhang Zuo, and they were very afraid. Zhang Zuo suspected them, so Song Hun fled west, where he called up and assembled the tribesmen and the Jin people, forming an army of over ten thousand, before he returned towards Guzang.

Zhang Zuo sent Yang Qiuhu to to Zhang Yaoling in the garden, where he bent him at the waist until his spine snapped, killing him; he then buried Zhang Yaoling in the sand.

祚尋使楊秋胡害耀靈于東苑，埋之於沙坑，私諡曰哀公。(Jinshu 86)

Zhang Zuo later sent Yang Qiuhu to kill Zhang Yaoling in the Eastern Garden, and had him buried in the sand. Zhang Yaoling's posthumous title was Duke Ai ("the Lamented").

Zhang Zuo's kinsman Zhang Guan was at this time stationed at Fuhan. Zhang Zuo resented Zhang Guan's strength. He sent his generals Yi Chuai and Zhang Ling with thirteen thousand horse and foot to attack Zhang Guan.

At that time, a man of Zhangye, Wang Luan, who knew the ways of the spirits warned Zhang Zuo, "If this army goes out, it will certainly shall not return. Then Liang will be in a disadvantageous position." Zhang Zuo became angry, and he accused Wang Luan of treasonous talk to dishearten the army, and had him put to death. As Wang Luan was being lead to his execution, he said, "Within twenty days of my death, the army shall certainly be defeated."

At that time, there was a spirit that descended at Xuanwu Hall. It called itself Xuanming, and it talked with people. Zhang Zuo prayed to it day and night, and the spirit spoke with him of fortune and blessings, so Zhang Zuo deeply trusted it.

Zhang Zuo also sent the Administrator of Zhangye, Suo Fu, to take over the command of Fuhan in Zhang Guan's place, but he was killed by Zhang Guan. Zhang Ling and the others were in the process of crossing the Yellow River when they were also routed by Zhang Guan's soldiers. They barely fled alone on old horses, and Zhang Guan's army trampled them. Zhang Zuo's army was greatly disturbed and frightened.

A native of Dunhuang, Song Hun, his younger brother Song Cheng, and others gathered an army together in support of Zhang Guan.

15. In Qin, Fu Sheng appointed the Grand Guard General, Fu Huangmei, as Prince of Guangping, and the General of the Front, Fu Fei, as Prince of Xinxing, since both of them had long been his favorites. The Grand Conquering Marshal and Prince of Wudu, Fu An, was appointed as Grand Commandant. The Prince of Jin, Fu Liu, was appointed Grand General Who Conquers the East and Governor of Bingzhou, and he was stationed at Puban. The Prince of Wei, Fu Sou, was appointed Grand General Who Guards the East and Governor of Yuzhou, and was stationed at Shancheng.

The Palace Secretary Hu Wen and the Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, Wang Yu, said to Fu Sheng, "There have been shooting stars in the Great Horn quadrant, and Mars has entered the Eastern Well. The Great Horn is the seat of Emperors, and Qinzhou lies within the boundaries of the Eastern Well. Within three years, there will be an imperial death, and some great ministers will die unnatural deaths. We implore Your Majesty to practice virtue in order to avert these calamities!"

But Fu Sheng replied, "The Empress commands the realm along with me; she may serve as the 'imperial death'. Mao Gui, Liang Leng, and Liang An conduct many affairs of state; they may serve as these 'great ministers'." So in the ninth month, Fu Sheng executed Empress Liang, Mao Gui, Liang Leng, and Liang An. This Mao Gui was the Empress's uncle.

The Deputy Director of the Right, Zhao Shao, and the Protector of the Army of the Center, Zhao Hui, were younger cousins of the Inspector of Luozhou, Zhao Ju. Because he favored the two of them, Fu Sheng appointed Zhao Ju as the new Prefect of the Masters of Writing. But Zhao Ju pleaded illness to refuse the post, and he said to Zhao Shao and Zhao Hui, "You lot stopped caring about our ancestors, haven’t you, to do such things that would bring about the extermination of the clan! What crime did Mao or Liang commit, to deserve death? What achievement have I, to take their place? But you men follow your own course, since I’m going to die soon anyway!" He then became sick with worry and passed away.

The Records on Astrology say, "The Great Horn lies between the Left and Right Sheti constellations, and it signifies heavenly princes." And in another place, "The Eastern Well is a constellation of eight stars." And elsewhere, "The Eastern Well and the Carriage Ghost constellations correspond to Qinzhou and Yongzhou."

Zhao Ju's appointment to guard Yiyang was mentioned in the last year of Book 99 (354.20).

16. In Liangzhou, Song Hun's army was at the great marsh at Wushi, where they went into mourning for Zhang Yaoling.

In the intercalary month, Song Hun's army reached Guzang. Zhang Zuo ordered Zhang Guan's brother Zhang Ju and son Zhang Song to be arrested, planning to kill them. When the two of them learned of it, they gathered several hundreds of people from the city, and proclaimed, "Zhang Zuo is without principle; our older brother's grand army is already east of the city, and let anyone who dares oppose them suffer death with their whole clan!" Having said this, they rushed to open the western gate and let in Song Hun’s army.

The General Who Directs The Army, Zhang Chang, and others, fearing to suffer punishment, entered the palace and begged Zhang Chonghua's mother, Lady Ma, to come out to the hall, where they made the Marquis of Liangwu, Zhang Xuanjing, the new lord. Yi Chuai and others forced their troops into the palace, took hold of Zhang Chang and the others, and killed them.

Zhang Zuo, standing at the head of the hall, grasped his sword and gave a great shout, calling on those around him to fight hard. But he had already lost the hearts of the people, and there was no one left who was willing to fight for him, so he was killed by the soldiers. Song Hun and the others cut off Zhang Zuo's head, proclaimed his death throughout all of Liangzhou’s territory, and exposed his body by the side of the road. Everyone inside the city praised Song Hun’s name. Zhang Zuo was buried with the rites fit for a commoner, and his two sons were also put to death.

Song Hun and Zhang Ju raised up Zhang Xuanjing as Grand General, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Xiping. A general amnesty was declared within Liang, and the former Western Jin reign era title was restored, so that it was now the forty-third year of Jianxing. At this time, Zhang Xuanjing was seven years old.

One of the earlier lords of Former Liang, Zhang Jun, had split the original Didao commandary, making part of it into Wushi commandary. If Song Hun had fled westward, when he fielded his army they wouldn’t be going east towards Didao.

The Water Classic says, "Duye Marsh was in the northeast of Wuwei County." The Commentary to the Water Classic adds, "It was three hundred li north of Guzang." Duye corresponds to the "Zhuye Marsh" mentioned in the Tribute of Yu (Book of Documents, Tribute of Yu #10). Its water comes from the Wushi Marsh of Guzang, so this marsh was west of Guzang.

Zhao Chang was the one who had asked that Zhang Zuo take the throne: this was the crime he feared punishment for.

靚 is pronounced "jing (j-ing)", or "jeng (j-eng)".

Zhang Zuo had changed the reign era title from Jianxing at the beginning of the year, as mentioned in the last year of Book 99 (354.1).

In the ninth month, Song Hun's army had advanced to the great marsh at Wushi, where they went into mourning for Zhang Yaoling. In the intercalary month, his army reached Guzang. Zhang Zuo mounted the Shenque Overlook, while Zhang Ju and Zhang Song killed Zhang Zuo's guards, more than four hundred dead, and then forced opened the western gate to let in Song Hun's army. The General Who Leads The Army, Zhao Zhang, opened the palace gates to receive Song Ju. Zhao Zhang then rushed into the hall, and gave a great cry of "Long live!" Zhang Zuo, believing that Zhao Zhang had defeated the enemy, came down from the overlook to reward him, and Zhao Zhang grasped his spear and struck Zhang Zuo in the forehead. Zhang Zuo fled into the Wanli Gate, where he was killed by the kitchen guard Xu Li. He was buried with the rites fitted for a commoner.

When Zhang Tianxi came to power, he prepared rites to rebury Zhang Zuo at Minling. He posthumously named Zhang Zuo as Prince Wei ("the Mighty"), and appointed his son Zhang Yanjian as Marquis of Jinze.

張玄靖字元安，重華少子，母郭夫人。和平二年，宋混、張琚等上玄靖為大將軍、涼州牧、護羌校尉、西平公，時年七歲。(16KCQ)

Zhang Xuanjing, styled Yuan'an, was Zhang Chonghua's youngest son; his mother was Lady Guo. In the second year of Zhang Zuo's Heping reign era, Song Hun, Zhang Ju, and others raised up Zhang Xuanjing as Grand General, Governor of Liangzhou, Colonel Who Protects The Qiang, and Duke of Xiping. At that time, he was seven years old.

Zhao Zhang, Zhang Shu, and the others were afraid because of their crimes. They rushed into the women's chambers to call on Zhang Chonghua's mother Lady Ma to come out into the hall, where they made Zhang Yaoling's younger brother Zhang Xuanjing the new ruler. Yi Chuai and others led troops into the hall to punish Zhao Zhang, and they killed him.

Zhang Guan's younger brother Zhang Ju and his son Zhang Song recruited several hundred people from the market, proclaiming to everyone, "Zhang Zuo is without principle. My older brother's army is already east of the city; anyone who dares to raise a hand against them will have their family wiped out to the third degree." Zhang Zuo's forces then dispersed and scattered.

Zhang Ju and Zhang Song led their men into the city. Zhang Zuo, standing at the head of the hall, grasped his sword and gave a great shout, calling on those around him to fight to the death. But he had already lost the hearts of the people, and there was no one left who was willing to fight for him, so he was killed. They cut off Zhang Zuo's head, proclaimed his death throughout all of Liangzhou’s territory, and exposed his body by the side of the road. Everyone inside the state praised their names. Zhang Zuo had held power for three years, then perished.

Zhang Xuanjing was styled Yuan'an. When he came to power, he styled himself Grand Commander, Grand General, Colonel, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Xiping. He declared an amnesty within his domain. He abolished the reign era title Heping, and went back to the reign era title of Jianxing, now in its forty-third year. He executed Zhang Zuo's two sons. He named Zhang Guan as Guard General, with command over ten thousand soldiers, and to implement the affairs of the Grand General, he changed his subordinates.

17. When Zhang Guan reached Guzang, he acclaimed Zhang Xuanjing as Prince of Liang, while he claimed for himself the titles of Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Commander of all military affairs, Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Zhangye. Song Hun was given the rank of Deputy Director of the Masters of Writing.

A man from Longxi, Li Yan, refused to recognize Zhang Guan's rule; he took over his local territory, insisted on following the current Jin reign era title as it was in the Southland, and many people flocked to his side.

Zhang Guan sent his general Niu Ba to campaign against Li Yan, but when they were about to arrive at his territory, another man from Xiping named Wei Chen took over a commandary as well and rose in rebellion. Niu Ba's troops scattered, and he fled back to Guzang. Zhang Guan then dispatched his younger brother Zhang Ju to attack Wei Chen, and Wei Chen was defeated. The Administrator of Jiuquan, Ma Ji, raised troops in an effort to assist Wei Chen, but Zhang Guan sent his Marshal Zhang Yao and Wang Guo against him, and they attacked and killed Ma Ji.

用永和年號也。爲李儼歸秦張本。綝，丑林翻。

That is to say, Li Yan used the reign era title Yonghe.

This was why Li Yan inclined towards Qin.

綝 is pronounced "chen (ch-in)".

The character 綝 is commonly pronounced either as Chen or as Lin. There seems to be no definite consensus.

張瓘至姑臧，推玄靖為大將軍、涼王。自為使持節都督中外諸軍事、尚書令、涼州牧、張掖郡公。(16KCQ)

When Zhang Guan reached Guzang, he acclaimed Zhang Xuanjing as Grand General and Prince of Liang. Zhang Guan made himself Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Commander of all military affairs, Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Zhangye.

There was a certain native of Longxi, Li Yan; he killed the gentry Peng Yao, set himself up in Longyou, and declared the restoration of the reign era title. The common people were pleased with him. Zhang Xuanjing sent Niu Ba at the head of troops to campaign against Li Yan, but before Niu Ba could succeed, a native of Xiping, Wei Chen, also occupied his own commandary and rebelled. Niu Ba's army scattered, and he returned alone on horseback.

Zhang Guan wished to deal with Wei Chen first, but he hesitated because his older brother Zhang Gui was among Wei Chen's forces, and Wei Chen also held back since his younger brother was with Zhang Guan. This was why, for a year or so, neither side moved against the other. There was a native of Xiping, Guo Xun, who knew how to read the stars, but he did not heed the commands of his province or commandary, so Wei Chen went to pay him a courteous visit. Guo Xun said to him, "The Zhang clan is headed for decline, while your Wei clan ought to rise. How can it be that you will suffer the slaughter of your clan just because they have your younger brother? You should campaign against Zhang Guan at once." Wei Chen was about to follow his advice, but Zhang Guan then sent his younger brother Zhang Ju at the head of a great army to campaign against Wei Chen, and Wei Chen was defeated.

Tian Xuan of Xiping urged the Administrator of Jiuquan, Ma Ji, to betray Zhang Guan and support Wei Chen. Tian Xuan said to him, "While Wei Chen attacks him in the east, we can cut him off in the west. Within sixty days, the realm can be settled. This is to seize the tongue while the mouth is open." Ma Ji agreed with him. Zhang Guan sent the Marshal Zhang Yao and Wang Guo with two thousand soldiers to campaign against Ma Ji, and they defeated him. The heads of Ma Ji and Tian Xuan were sent to Guzang.

In the sixth month of the fifth year, there was a great drought, and the internuncios prayed for rain by chanting the Yunhan poem from the Book of Poetry. The Libationer of the Literati, Suo Sui, said, "The Yunhan poem is about King Xuan's beauty, and the words are not about a drought. Of old, when the divine tripod went out of Han, 虞丘不賀. If you use such words now to seek success here, I fear it will not have any effect on the marshes."

This Suo Sui, styled Shi'ai, was a native of Dunhuang. His father Suo Ji was Minister Over The Masses. Suo Sui came from a poor family, but he was fond of study. He was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, and appointed as Libationer of the Hall of Records. When he lost his mother, he resigned his office. Later he was recommended as Abundant Talent, and he compiled the "Annals of Liang" in fifty chapters. He also composed the "Odes of the Six Tribes" according to his orders, which ran for more than ten volumes. For his literary skills and accomplishments, he was appointed as Marquis of Pingleting.

冬，十月，以豫州刺史謝尚督並、冀、幽三州，鎮壽春。

18. In winter, the tenth month, Jin’s Inspector of Yuzhou, Xie Shang, was given command over Bingzhou, Jizhou, and Youzhou. He was stationed at Shouchun.

At that time, Jin had established north of the Yangzi four surrogate provinces standing in for Qingzhou, Jizhou, Bingzhou, and Youzhou.

When the forces of Jin had first crossed to the south side of the Yangzi (after 311), Zu Tu was the Inspector of Yuzhou, and he administered things from Qiao. In the first year of Yongchang (322), Zu Yue fell back to defend from Shouchun. In Emperor Cheng's fourth year of Xianhe (330), Yu Liang was the Inspector of Yuzhou, and he administered the territory from Wuhu. In the fourth year of Xiankang (338), Mao Bao was the Inspector of Yuzhou, and he administered from Zhucheng. In the sixth year (340), Yu Yi was the Inspector, and he administered from Wuhu again. In the first year of Yonghe (345), Zhao Yin was the Inspector, and he administered from Niuzhu. In the second year (346), Xie Shang was the Inspector, and he administered from Wuhu yet again. Now, in 355, Xie Shang advanced to Shouchun, which was the western border territory for Jiankang. It was the rule that whenever Jin planned to advance, they stationed at Shouchun, while if defense was the focus, they stationed at Liyang or Wuhu.

Wuhu is still a city in modern Anhui. It is on the southern bank of the Yangzi near Nanjing, while Shouchun is to the northwest of it across the river, some ways west of Nanjing. Zhucheng was the city mentioned earlier in Book 96 (339.22), when Yu Liang sent Mao Bao to command a garrison there and provoked a preemptive attack from Shi Hu. Niuzhu is the modern city of Ma’anshan, slightly northeast of Wuhu.

鎮北將軍段龕與燕主俊書，抗中表之儀，非其稱帝。俊怒，十一月，以太原王恪為大都督、撫軍將軍，陽騖副之，以擊龕。

19. The Qingzhou warlord Duan Kan, nominally Jin’s General Who Guards The North, wrote a letter to Murong Jun, in which he insisted upon using the etiquette proper between cousins, and opposed Murong Jun's declaration as Emperor. Murong Jun was greatly enraged by this. In the eleventh month, he appointed the Prince of Taiyuan, Murong Ke, as Grand Marshal and General Who Protects The Army, with Yang Wu serving as his adjutant. They went to attack Duan Kan.

儁，段氏出也，故龕與之抗中表之儀。龕，苦含翻。騖，音務。

Murong Jun was born of a Duan, thus Duan Kan could insist on addressing him as a cousin.

龕 is pronounced "kan (k-an)". 騖 is pronounced similar to "wu".

Murong Huang’s wife was Lady Duan, and she was probably Murong Jun’s mother. Even if not, his grandfather Murong Hui’s wife was also from the Duan clan.

秦以辛牢守尚書令，趙韶為左僕射，尚書董榮為右僕射，中護軍趙誨為司隸校尉。

20. In Qin, Xin Lao was appointed as Prefect of the Masters of Writing (since Zhao Ju had refused it). Zhao Shao was appointed as Deputy Director of the Left, while the Master of Writing, Dong Rong, became Deputy Director of the Right, and the Protector of the Army of the Center, Zhao Hui, became the Colonel-Director of Retainers.

十二月，高句麗王釗遣使詣燕納質修貢，以請其母。燕主俊許之，遣殿中將軍刁龕送釗母周氏歸其國；以釗為征東大將軍、營州刺史，封樂浪公，王如故。

21. In the twelfth month, the King of Goguryeo, Go Soe, sent tribute to Yan, and asked for the release of his mother. Murong Jun agreed to this, and sent his General of the Central Palace, Diao Kan, to escort Lady Ju back to her own state. He further granted Go Soe the titles of Grand General Who Conquers The East, Inspector of Yingzhou, and Duke of Lelang, and treated him as a King like before.

燕囚釗母，見九十七卷成帝咸康八年。樂浪，音洛琅。使爲高句麗王如故。

The imprisonment of Go Soe's mother was mentioned in the eighth year of Xiankang (342.13) in Book 97.

樂浪 is pronounced like "luolang".

That is to say, he treated Go Soe as King of Goguryeo.

Most sources pronounce 樂浪 as Lelang. In Korean it is Naglang.

上黨人馮鴦逐燕太守段剛，據安民城，自稱太守，遣使來降。

22. Feng Yang of Shangdang cast out Yan's Administrator of that place, Duan Gang. He seized control of Anmin, declaring himself its Administrator, and sent an offer of submission to Jin.

魏收《地形志》：燕上黨太守治安民城。安民城在襄垣縣，蓋永嘉中，劉琨遣張倚所築，以安上黨之民，因以爲名。

Wei Shou's Geographical Records states, "During Yan, the Administrators of Shangdang administered the territory from Anmin. Anmin city was in Xiangyuan County. During the Yongjia era (307-313), Liu Kun sent Zhang Yi to build it, and since its purpose was to calm the people of Shangdang, he named it Anmin (literally "calm the people")."

23. The Prime Minister of Qin, Lei Ruo'er, was of an upright and outspoken nature. He always reported the loose governance of Zhao Shao and Dong Rong to the court, and he gnashed their teeth whenever he saw them. They in turn slandered him to Fu Sheng, and Fu Sheng killed Lei Ruo'er along with his nine sons and twenty-seven grandsons. Many of the Qiang were alienated by this, because Lei Ruo'er had been one of the Qiang as well.

Although Fu Sheng was still in his mourning period, he cavorted and drank as he pleased; he would draw his bow or unsheathe his blade even when in an audience with the ministers. He kept ready at hand various tools for when he wished to harm others, including hammers, pincers, saws, and chisels. He killed over five hundred people in a short time after coming to the throne, from consorts and ministers down to servants and slaves. He would cut off their shins, break their ribs, saw their necks, rip out their unborn child, and other behavior of this nature.

雷弱兒，南安羌酋也，以非罪而死，故諸羌皆有離心。

Lei Ruo'er was a chieftain of the Qiang of Nan'an. Since he had been killed even though he committed no crime, this alienated the various Qiang tribes.

24. Murong Jun was concerned about the strength of Duan Kan's defenses. He said to Murong Ke, "If Duan Kan’s army holds the line of the Yellow River, you do not need to force a crossing; it will be enough to capture Lü Hu and then return." Murong Ke split off several light detachments to reach the river, and they used boats to observe Duan Kan's plans.

Duan Kan had a younger brother, Duan Pi, heroic and skilled in planning. Duan Pi said to his brother, "Murong Ke knows well how to use his soldiers, and he has many of them at hand. If he crosses the river and advances to the city, I fear even if you beg to surrender, it will be denied you. I will lead our elite troops to guard the line of the river. If I am fortunate enough to emerge victorious, elder brother, you may press on the attack with the bulk of our forces, and victory is assured. If I lose in the engagement, you should surrender immediately, and you would still get a position as a marquis over a thousand households." But Duan Kan did not heed him. Duan Pi’s repeated requests of this nature were ignored, until Duan Kan, greatly angered, killed him.

呂護時據野王。

Lü Hu still held control over Yewang.

Yewang is the modern city of Qinyang in Henan province. At this time, it was presumably north of the Yellow River, whose course has changed drastically over the centuries.

1. In spring, the first month, Murong Ke led his troops across the Yellow River. When they were still over a hundred li away from Duan Kan’s capital at Guanggu, Duan Kan brought thirty thousand men against them in battle. On the day Bingshen (March 17th), Murong Ke greatly routed Duan Kan at Zishui; he captured his younger brother Duan Qin, and killed his Chief Clerk of the Left, Yuan Fan, and others.

Among Duan Kan’s commanders was the "Prince-Friend", Pilu Yu, who was injured during the battle. When Murong Ke heard of this man's worth, he sent men to look for him, but by then Pilu Yu had already died, and many thousands of the enemy soldiers had surrendered. Duan Kan fled back to defend Guanggu, and Murong Ke pursued him and put the city under siege.

The Chronicles of the Book of Jin states, "Murong Ke routed Duan Kan south of the Ji River." (Jinshu 110.17) The above passage in ZZTJ mentions that Murong Ke was still over a hundred li from Guanggu, and that the two armies fought the battle at the Zi River. The Water Classic says, "The Zhuo River passes west of Guanggu city, and flows east until it reaches Guangrao, where it enters Lake Judian. To the north, it also joins with the Zi River."

The Zi or Zihe River and Guangrao are both still places in modern Shandong. Lake Judian was northwest of modern Shouguang in Shandong.

When Duan Kan declared himself Prince of Qi, he also created the office of 王友.

2. Qin's Minister of Works, Wang Duo, was of a stern nature. He burned with rage against the Deputy Director of the Right Dong Rong and the Palace Attendant Qiang Guo because they gained promotions through their flattery. Whenever Wang Dao was at court, he never uttered a word to Dong Rong. Someone said to him, "Lord Dong is a worthy man without peer; you should put aside your principles somewhat and confer with him."

Wang Duo replied, "Dong Long is nothing but a chicken or a dog, and yet he demands a high minister of the state to speak with him?"

At that time, there were sudden changes in the heavens. Dong Rong and Qiang Guo said to Fu Sheng, " The heavens are sending us serious reprimands. It would be wise to have a high minister answer them."

Fu Sheng asked, "As for high ministers, that could only be the Grand Marshal or the Minister of Works."

Dong Rong replied, "The Grand Marshal is a close relative to the throne; he cannot be killed."

Fu Sheng therefore executed Wang Duo. While Wang Duo was being led out to be executed, Dong Rong said to him, "Do you dare to still say that Dong Long is just a chicken or dog?" Wang Duo only glared at him and loudly rebuked him.

The Inspector of Luozhou, Du Yu, was Wang Duo's nephew. The Deputy Director of the Left, Zhao Shao, disliked him, so he accused Du Yu to Fu Sheng of planning to defect to Jin, and Fu Sheng executed him.

龍，董榮小字。大司馬謂武都王安，生叔父也。【章：十二行本「榮」下有「國」字；乙十一行本同；孔本同。】

Long was Dong Rong's childhood name.

The Grand Marshal refers to the Prince of Wudu, Fu An, who was Fu Sheng's uncle.

In the final sentence here, some versions have "(Qiang) Guo" instead of "(Dong) Rong".

壬戌，生宴群臣於太極殿，以尚書令辛牢為酒監，酒酣，生怒曰：「何不強人酒而猶有坐者！」引弓射牢，殺之。群臣懼，莫敢不醉，偃仆失冠，生乃悅。

3. On the day Renxu (?), Fu Sheng convened a feast of all the ministers in the Taiji Palace. The Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Xin Lao, was put in charge of distributing the wine. After becoming drunk, Fu Sheng was angry and said, "Why are you not forcing them to drink? There are still people sitting upright!" So he shot an arrow at Xin Lao, which killed him. The remaining ministers became greatly afraid, and none dared not to get drunk. Only when they were falling over to the point where their hats fell off was Fu Sheng pleased.

匈奴大人劉務桓卒，弟閼頭立，將貳於代。二月，代王什翼犍引兵西巡，臨河，閼頭懼，請降。

4. The Xiongnu chieftain Liu Wuhuan passed away. His younger brother Liu Etou took over his command, planning to rebel against Dai. In the second month, the King of Dai, Tufa Shijian, marched his soldiers west to Linhe. Liu Etou was afraid and offered submission.

犍，居言翻。閼，於葛翻。

犍 is pronounced "jian (j-an)". 閼 is pronounced "e (w-e)".

燕太原王恪招撫段龕諸城。已丑，龕所署徐州刺史陽都公王騰舉眾降，恪命騰以故職還屯陽都。

5. Murong Ke offered amnesty to Duan Kan's cities.

On the day Yichou (?), Wang Teng, Duan Kan's Inspector of Xuzhou and Duke of Yangdu, brought his forces in to submit. Murong Ke ordered Wang Teng to keep his previous position and return to garrison Yangdu.

恪圍廣固未下，故先招撫其統內諸城。段龕置徐州於琅邪陽都縣。杜佑曰：漢陽都縣故城在沂州沂水縣南。

Since Murong Ke had not yet been able to take Guanggu, he offered amnesty and regained control over Duan Kan's other cities first.

Duan Kan split Yangdu County off from Langye in Xuzhou. Du You remarked, "Under Han, the old city of Yangdu County was south of Yishui County in Yizhou."

Yangdu is part of the modern city of Linyi in Shandong. Du You (735-812) was a scholar during the Tang dynasty.

6. Qin's Grand General Who Conquers The East and Prince of Jin, Fu Liu, sent his advisors Yan Fu and Liang Shu to Liangzhou, to speak with the Prince of Liang, Zhang Xuanjing. When Yan Fu and Liang Shu arrived at Guzang, Zhang Guan received them. He said, "We are subjects of Jin; a subject has no dealings with foreign states, so why do the two of you come to insult us?"

Yan and Liang replied, "Your lordship and the Prince of Jin are neighbors; although mountains and rivers create barriers, the same wind blows through both realms. We have come to improve relations; why is your lordship so combative?"

秦使苻柳鎭蒲阪，非與涼州鄰也，故以風通道會爲言。

Qin had sent Fu Liu to guard Puban (near Luoyang), which was not on the border with Liangzhou, thus they used “the same winds and roads join our lands” as their reasoning.

Zhang Guan said, "We are utterly loyal to Jin, and have been so for six different lords. To treat with General Fu is to abandon the wishes of our late lord, and to break the people’s sense of loyalty; what sense is there in that?"

軌、寔、茂、駿、重華、曜靈、祚爲七世，今言六世，斥祚不以爲世數。

Counting Zhang Gui, Zhang Shi, Zhang Mao, Zhang Jun, Zhang Chonghua, Zhang Yaoling, and Zhang Zuo, Former Liang had thus far had seven lords. Yet Zhang Guan says six; by this he means not to include Zhang Zuo among the other lords.

Yan and Liang replied, "Jin has long been on the decline and lost the Mandate of Heaven. It merely lingers on. Two of your own lords recognized the supremacy of the north, and inclined towards the two Zhaos, because they understood Heaven’s designs. Now our state of Qin has grown virtuous and prosperous. If the Prince of Liang wishes to proclaim himself Emperor of all territory west of the river, he will not be able to match Qin in strength. But if he desires to bring his lesser state to serve a greater one, then why does he not consider abandoning Jin to serve Qin instead, so that his best interests are guaranteed?"

張茂稱藩於前趙，張駿稱藩於後趙。

Zhang Mao had earlier called himself a vassal of Han-Zhao, and Zhang Jun had done the same for Later Zhao.

Zhang Guan said, “The Central Provinces ate their words before. Once, in the past, the Shi clan had sent us an envoy. As soon as his carriage departed, their war riders were on our doorstep. I dare not believe you."

永和二年，張重華嗣位，遣使奉章於石虎，虎繼遣王擢來寇。

In the second year of Yonghe (346), when Zhang Chonghua came to the throne, he sent his tokens of submission to Shi Hu, yet Shi Hu sent Wang Zhuo to invade Liang.

Yan and Liang replied, "Since ancient times, emperors who held the Central Lands have all adopted different policies and cultures. Where Zhao employed guile, Qin honors trustworthiness. How can you generalize over us? Witness what happened when Zhang Xian and Yang Chu both raised soldiers and refused to submit; our late lord campaigned against them, but he offered amnesty to the other criminals, and favored them with office. That was most unlike the Shi clan."

槪所以平斗斛，一槪待之，言無所高下也。擒張先見九十八卷六年，未嘗擒楊初也，負、殊姑爲是言耳。

A 槪 is a thing (scraper) for leveling measuring scoops. The phrase一槪待之 (‘to treat it with the same 槪 gai’) means to give equal treatment to two things.

Zhang Xian's capture was mentioned in the eighth year of Yonghe in Book 98 (350.28), but Qin had not actually captured Yang Chu. (In their last attempt, their army had been defeated, as seen in Book 99, 353.10) Yan Fu and Liang Gu were just making this up.

Zhang Guan said, "If it is as you say, and Qin truly displays virtue without equal, then why do you not first conquer the Southland. Then all the realm shall belong to Qin. Why does General Fu shirk the duties of the mandate?"

Yan and Liang replied, "The people of the Southland tattoo their bodies; they would be the first ones to rebel when the state stops upholding its principles, and will only come to submission when morality and culture flourish. Our lord believes that the Southland must be conquered by force, while the lands west of the Yellow River can be brought into the fold through appealing to reason. This is why he sent us as emissaries of good will. But if your lordship ignores Heaven's mandate, then the Southland will merely remain for a few more years yet, while the lands west of the Yellow River, we fear, will no longer be yours."

In ancient times (from the Warring States era and before), it was the custom of the barbarians of Jing (or Chu) to cut their hair and tattoo their bodies in order to avoid the wrath of the flood dragon. This is what Yan Fu and Liang Shu are alluding to. Yet, at the very time they were speaking, those who wore civilized clothing were all in the Southland, and the proper reign was there as well. Yan Fu and Liang Shu were just like dogs who would bark at Emperor Yao, or henchmen who would assassinate Xu You (i.e. blindly attacking an opponent because they’re someone’s henchmen). Know that they were just doing their duty to their lord.

吠堯 is short for the saying 桀犬吠堯, “Jie’s dog would bark at Yao”, meaning the lackeys of an evil person would insult a sage just because they’re loyal to their lord. 刺由 is short for 跖客刺由, “Robber Zhi’s henchmen would assassinate even Xu You”. Robber Zhi was an infamous bandit during the Spring and Autumn times, and Xu You was a wise man and hermit in the times of the Mythical Kings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xu_You_&#40;hermit&#41;).

Zheng Xuan has said,“The meaning of 汚 is similar to ‘kill’.” The Book of Changes says, "When Gaozong of Shang campaigned against Guifang, it took him three years to subdue it." (63.4) Commentators suggested that because the people of Jing and Chu were reckless and fierce, they would be the first to rebel when the state stops upholding its principles. This was how Yan Fu and Liang Shu were also criticizing the Southland.

Yao was one of the Three Rulers and Five Sovereigns, often said to be the exemplar of moral and upright behavior.

Zheng Xuan was a scholar during the final years of the Han dynasty. He wrote numerous commentaries that were critical for later interpretations of Confucianism.

Guifang was a realm near the ancient Shang dynasty. Its inhabitants are probably the same as those later known as the Xiongnu.

Zhang Guan retorted, "We control three provinces, and have a hundred thousand armed men; to the west we control the Pamirs, and to the east we hold the Yellow River. We have more than enough to attack others, let alone defending our land; what fear need we have of Qin?"

三州謂涼、河、沙，張茂及張駿所分置者也。

The three provinces were Liangzhou, Hezhou, and Shazhou (the Western Reaches), which Zhang Mao and Zhang Jun had split off from the original Liangzhou.

Yan and Liang replied, "You speak of your terrain; how does yours compare with the Xiao Mountains and Hangu Pass? You boast of your abundant people and resources; how do yours compare with the bounty of Qinzhou and Yongzhou? Du Hong and Zhang Ju had the resources of Zhao at their disposal; their soldiers were strong and their resources plenty. They had the ambition of first taking Guanzhong, and then rolling up all within the four seas. But as soon as our late lord pointed his banners to the west, their forces vanished like melting ice and clouds dispersing. In the space of a fortnight or a month, their lands changed hands. If our lord erupts with anger due to your province’s refusal to submit, and he fields an army of a million men and have them beat the drums and march westward, how might your province deal with that?"

事見九十八卷六年。

The account of Fu Jian's conquest of Guanzhong was related in the sixth year of Yonghe (350) in Book 98.

The Xiao (or Yao) Mountains are a mountain range stretching north from the Luo River to Puban, on the western border of Qin.

Zhang Guan smiled and said, "But this is a matter for the Prince to decide, not me."

Yan and Liang said, "Although the Prince is bright and wise for his age, in the end he is still young. Your lordship is in the role of Yi Yan and Huo Guang. Your state’s survival or destruction depends on the one move you will make."

Zhang Guan was afraid, and so he sent orders on behalf of Zhang Xuanjing professing submission to Qin. Qin therefore confirmed Zhang Xuanjing's titles and offices.

7. General Liu Du attacked Qin's Inspector of Qingzhou, Wang Lang, at Lushi. Yan's General Muyu Zhangqing made a supporting movement, attacking Qin's Inspector of Youzhou, Qiang Zhe, at Peishibao. Fu Sheng sent his General of the Front and Prince of Xinxing,Fu Fei, to oppose Liu Du, while he sent his General Who Establishes Fortitude, Deng Qiang, to oppose Muyu Zhangqing. Liu Du retreated before Fu Fei arrived. Deng Qiang met Muyu Zhangqing in battle and won a great victory, capturing Muyu and bringing back over two thousand heads and equipment.

盧氏縣，漢屬弘農郡，晉屬上洛郡，唐屬虢州。永嘉之亂，裴氏舉宗據險築堡以自守，後人因而置屯戍，故堡猶有裴氏之名，蓋在河東界。長，知兩翻。

During Han, Lushi County was part of Hongnong commandary. Jin had placed it in Shangluo commandary. The Tang dynasty would later make it part of Guozhou.

During the Chaos of Yongjia (310-316), the Pei clan (of Yingchuan) built a fortress for self-defense to escape from the danger. Later on, whenever soldiers camped there, they still called the old fort Peishibao (literally "Pei Clan's Fort"). It was on the border with Hedong.

長 is pronounced "zhang (zh-ang)".

The Wang Lang mentioned here has the same name as the Wang Lang who had served Later Zhao and was last mentioned fleeing to Xiangguo. It is possible it is the same man, but that does not seem to be clear.

桓溫請移都洛陽，修復園陵，章十餘上，不許。拜溫征討大都督，督司、冀二州諸軍事，以討姚襄。

8. Huan Wen requested that the Jin capital be returned to Luoyang, so that the old imperial tombs could be repaired. He made the request more than ten times, but the court did not agree. Huan was appointed as Grand Commander, with authority over Sizhou and Jizhou, for the purpose of campaigning against Yao Xiang.

三月，秦主生發三輔民治渭橋；金紫光祿大夫程肱諫，以為妨農，生殺之。

9. In the third month, Fu Sheng ordered the people of the Three Adjuncts (around Chang’an) to construct a bridge over the Wei River. The Household Counsellor With Golden Tassel, Cheng Gong, remonstrated with him, saying that the corvee labor would hinder farming. Fu Sheng killed him.

10. In summer, the fourth month, a great storm whipped Chang'an, tearing up roof-tiles and trees alike. There was great fear in the palace, with someone said that the bandits were coming, and so the palace gates were shut even during daytime, only opening again after five days.

Fu Sheng investigated into who started the talk about bandits, and carved out his heart. The Household Counsellor of the Left, Qiang Ping, remonstrated with him: "Heaven sent this disaster upon us. Your Majesty must win back the hearts of the people and appease the gods. Now is the time to offer forgiveness in order to reestablish virtue, and thus end the disturbances." Fu Sheng became angry, and killed Qiang Ping by hammering a chisel through the top of his head.

The Guard General and Prince of Guangping, Fu Huangmei, the General of the Front and Prince of Xinxing, Fu Fei, and the General Who Establishes Fortitude, Deng Qiang, kowtowed before Fu Sheng and remonstrated with him, because Qiang Ping had been Empress Dowager Qiang's younger brother. Fu Sheng did not heed them, and even ordered the three of them banished: Fu Huangmei to Western Pingyi, Fu Fei to Eastern Fufeng, and Deng Qiang to be the Administrator of Xianyang. However, respecting their bravery, he did not order them executed.

In the fifth month, the Empress Dowager, Lady Qiang, passed away out of grief; her posthumous name was Empress Dowager Mingde.

There had been a Weicheng County as part of Fufeng under Former Han, which was the same place as Xianyang under the Qin dynasty. Later Han and Jin had abolished it. Wei Shou's Geographical Records states, "Xianyang commandary is administered from Shian County. It was known as Weicheng during Han, but Shi Le renamed it. It was one of several commandaries that the several tribes created after the Disaster of Yongjia."

姚襄自許昌攻周成於洛陽。

11. Yao Xiang marched from Xuchang to attack Zhou Cheng at Luoyang.

周成襲據洛陽，見上卷十年。

Zhou Cheng's capture of Luoyang was mentioned in the tenth year of Yonghe (354) during the last book (Book 99, 354.2).

12. In the sixth month, Fu Sheng sent out a proclamation stating, "I have received the mandate of the Yellow Heaven, and am lord over many lands. What have I done wrong since I took the throne, that the realm is filled with slanders and rumors against me? I have not killed even a thousand people, yet they say I am cruel! The roads are filled with people; one cannot say the they are becoming sparse. This is just the time to implement harsh laws and extreme punishments. What can you do about me anyway?"

Since the previous spring, from Tong Gate west up until Chang'an, tigers and wolves became violent, and they filled the roads during the day. At night they would burst into houses, and rather than eating livestock, they would turn on and eat people, and over seven hundred people died in this manner. The people abandoned their farming and silkworm cultivating, instead gathering together into towns and cities, but the beasts continued their scourge of the land. In autumn, the seventh month, all the Qin ministers petitioned together, for offerings to be made to Heaven to halt the calamity. Fu Sheng said, "It's only natural that wild beasts that are starving will eat people. They will stop once they've filled their bellies. What’s the point in making an offering? Furthermore, would Heaven not care for the people? It’s exactly because there are many evildoers, that it’s helping me kill them!"

晝則繼道。言虎狼相繼於路也。「繼」，蜀本作「斷」。史言苻生之虐甚於桀、紂。

That is to say, the roads were filled with tigers and wolves. Some versions say "blocked" instead of "filled".

The text is saying that Fu Sheng's cruelty matched that of Jie of Xia and King Zhou of Shang.

The Six Livestock are horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, dogs, and pigs.

13. On the day Bingzi (August 21st), Yan's Crown Prince, Murong Ye, passed away. He was posthumously known as Prince Xianhuai (“the Cherished”).

Yao Xiang attacked Luoyang, but despite assaulting it for over a month, he could not capture it. His Chief Clerk, Wang Liang, remonstrated, saying, "You have a heroic legacy and are well-regarded; your soldiers are strong and your people numerous. But now you camp here outside this city, expending your strength upon assaults. Other enemies might take advantage of us. This course can only lead to ruin!" Yao Xiang did not listen to him.

14. Huan Wen marched north from Jiangling. He sent his Protector Gao Wu to capture Luyang, and his General Who Upholds The State, Dai Shi, to camp along the river, while he himself led the bulk of his army forward.

As they passed the crude shacks that now dotted the Central Plains, Huan Wen and his colleagues and subordinates went up to the Pingcheng deck of his ship and gazed towards the Central Plains. With deep emotion, he said to his subordinates, "For causing the Central Plains to fall into the grasp of the barbarians and lie in ruin for a hundred years, Wang Yan and his ilk bear a heavy burden!"

Huan Wen sternly replied, "In bygone days, Liu Jingsheng (Liu Biao) owned a large ox weighing a thousand catties. It ate ten times as much fodder and beans as ordinary oxen. Yet when it came to bearing heavy burdens or traveling long distances, it wasn't even the equal of a sick calf. When Cao Cao invaded Jingzhou, he cooked the beast and fed it to his men."

Wang Yan and the other advocates of the "Pure Conversation" school during Western Jin had not busied themselves with state affairs, and it was because of that that the barbarians rebelled against the Hua (the ethnic Han) people.

Qingtan, or Pure Conversation, was a Daoist philosophical school of thought that arose during the Wei-Jin era, and continued to be popular through the Southern and Northern dynasties.

The Dukes and other noble families of Jin each had their 記室, who was responsible for composing memorials, compiling records, and distributing proclamations.

Huan Wen was using the story of the cattle as a metaphor to instruct Yuan Hong, and was really talking about people who drew government salaries yet were useless for administration.

Liu Biao's style name was Jingsheng.

The account of Cao Cao's entry into Jingzhou is described in the thirteenth year of Jian'an, in Book 65.

When Huan Wen invaded Luoyang (in 356), he crossed to the north by way of the Huai and Si Rivers. Climbing to the turret of his ship with his subordinate officers, he looked out over the Central Plains, and with deep feeling said, "For causing the Sacred Provinces to be engulfed (by barbarians) and to lie waste for a hundred years, Wang Yan and those about him can't escape bearing the blame!"

His aide-de-camp, Yuan Hong, answered him forthrightly, "Fate naturally brings its falls and rises; why was it necessarily the fault of Wang Yan and those about him?"

Coloring angrily, Huan Wen turned about and said to all who were present, "Have you gentlemen ever heard of Liu Biao? He owned a large ox weighing a thousand catties. It ate ten times as much fodder and beans as ordinary oxen, but when it came to bearing heavy burdens or traveling long distances, it wasn't even the equal of a sick calf. When Cao Cao invaded Jingzhou, he cooked the ox to feast his officers and men. At the time, everyone expressed delight."

Huan Wen's intention was to make an analogy with Yuan Hong. Everyone present was frightened, and even Yuan Hong himself turned pale. (tr. Richard Mather)

15. In the eighth month, on the day Yihai (September 16th), Huan Wen reached the Yi River.

Yao Xiang broke off his siege to defend against Huan Wen, hiding his best troops in the woods on the north bank of the Yi River. He sent a messenger to Huan Wen, with the message, "I see you have led the royal troops here. If you would please order your army to draw back somewhat, we would certainly kneel by the side of the road and offer our submission."

Huan Wen's reply was, "I have come to recover the Central Plains, and to offer my respects at the imperial tombs; I am not here to interfere with your business. If you wish to present yourself, you ought to come in person; why bother sending another in your place?"

Yao Xiang therefore prepared to fight a battle at the Yi River. Huan Wen prepared his soldiers and came against Yao Xiang, personally donning armor to direct the battle. Yao Xiang suffered a great defeat, losing several thousand men. He fled with several thousand of his remaining cavalry to seek refuge in the northern hills of Luoyang. During the night, more than five thousand commoners abandoned their families to join Yao Xiang.

Yao Xiang was brave and kind to the people. Although he continued to suffer defeats to Huan Wen, whenever the populace knew where Yao Xiang was, they would rush to join him, bringing their old and young with them. There was a rumor in Huan Wen’s camp that Yao Xiang had already died of his injuries, and men and women from Xuchang and Luoyang who were captured by Huan Wen all looked north and wept.

Yao Xiang fled to the west. Huan Wen’s soldiers pursued Yao Xiang, but they could not catch him. During the pursuit, a certain Yang Liang of Hongnong left Yao Xiang's band and went over to Huan Wen. Huan asked him what sort of man Yao Xiang was. Yang Liang responded, " Yao Xiang is wise and large-minded, just like Sun Ce, but in valor he surpasses even the latter."

伊水在洛陽城南。洛陽北山，北芒山也。史言姚襄得人心。

The Yi River is south of Luoyang.

The northern hills of Luoyang means the Beimang Hills.

This passage shows how greatly Yao Xiang had captured the hearts of the people.

16. The erstwhile rebel Zhou Cheng led his troops out of Luoyang to submit to Jin. Huan Wen camped his men in front of the Taiji Palace, before relocating to Jinyong. On the day Yichou (?), he visited all the imperial tombs, repairing the places that had been damaged, and appointing a Tomb Prefect for each.

Huan Wen then petitioned for the General Who Guards The West, Xie Shang, to be in command of affairs in Sizhou, and to be stationed at Luoyang. Since Xie Shang had yet to arrive, Huan Wen left the Administrator of Yingchuan, Mao Muzhi, the Protector Chen Wu, and the Administrator of Henan, Dai Shi, with two thousand troops to form a garrison for Luoyang and to protect the imperial tombs. He brought over three thousand families from that region to the area between the Yangzi and the Han River, and he returned with Zhou Cheng brought back as a captive.

漢起陵邑，邑各置令，後遂因之，諸陵各置陵令，屬太常。

During Han, the imperial tombs had their villages, and each village had a Prefect. Later administrations continued that custom. The several tombs would each have a Tomb Prefect, and they were subordinate to the Minister of Ceremonies.

姚襄奔平陽，秦并州刺史尹赤復以眾降襄，襄遂據襄陵。秦大將軍張平擊之，襄為平所敗，乃與平約為兄弟，各罷兵。

17. Yao Xiang fled to Pingyang, where Qin's Inspector of Bingzhou, his former subordinate Yin Chi, once again surrendered to him with his troops. Yao Xiang then captured Xiangling. Qin's Grand General, Zhang Ping, attacked Yao Xiang and defeated him. Following this, the two of them swore an oath of brotherhood, each leading his own troops away.

It was mentioned that Yin Chi had abandoned Yao Xiang in the eighth year of Yonghe (352.8) in the last book (Book 99).

During Han, Xiangling County had been part of Hedong commandary, and during Jin it was part of Pingyang commandary. Later on, Northern Wei changed its name from Xiangling to Qinchang County, and under Sui and Tang its name was changed back to Xiangling.

In the seventh year of Yonghe (351), Zhang Ping had submitted to Qin, but then had switched over to Yan. The Tongjian states that Qin had won him over again with new titles.

段龕遣其屬段薀來求救，詔徐州刺史荀羨將兵隨薀救之。羨至琅邪，憚燕兵之強，不敢進。王騰寇鄄城，羨進攻陽都，會霖雨，城壞，獲騰，斬之。

18. Duan Kan sent his subordinate Duan Yun to plead for aid from Jin. The Jin court ordered the Inspector of Xuzhou, Xun Xian, to bring his troops back with Duan Yun to assist Duan Kan.

When Xun Xian reached Langye, he feared the strength of Yan's soldiers, so he did not dare advance. Wang Teng invaded Juancheng. Xun Xian advanced to attack Yangdu. There were heavy rains then, and the city walls were damaged. Xun Xian captured Wang Teng and executed him.

This Juancheng County had been part of Dong Commandary under Han, and it was under Puyang during Jin. It is not the ancient Juancheng County, but was one of Jin's surrogate counties.

Duan Kan had earlier appointed this Wang Teng as Inspector of Xuzhou, and he was camped at Yangdu. At this time, he had surrendered to Yan, and it was on behalf of Yan that he was invading.

冬，十月，癸巳朔，日有食之。

19. In winter, the tenth month, on the new moon of the day Guisi (November 9th), there was an eclipse.

秦主生夜食棗多，旦而有疾，召太醫令程延，使診之。延曰：「陛下無它疾，食棗多耳。」生怒曰：「汝非聖人，安知吾食棗！」遂斬之。

20. Fu Sheng ate a large quantity of red dates one night. In the morning, he felt sick, so he sent for the Prefect of Imperial Doctors, Cheng Yan, to diagnose him. Cheng Yan said, "Your Majesty is not truly sick; you have simply eaten too many red dates."

Fu Sheng said, "You are not a magician; how could you know I was eating red dates?" He ordered Cheng Yan's execution.

His officers asked him to hasten the assault on the city. Murong Ke said, “When using soldiers, there are times when it’s better to go slowly, and there are times when it’s better to speed up, and the two cannot be mistaken for one another. If the enemy is equally strong as we are, and they have strong reinforcements coming and threatening to attack us from both sides, then we must be speedy in our attack. But when we are stronger than they are, and we have enough strength to subdue them as they have no external help, then we should dig in and surround them and wait for them to fall apart on their own, while we also ensure the defenses of our other territories. By such means we can defeat them.

“The Art of War states, 'When you have ten times the enemy's numbers, surround them; when five times, attack'. That describes our situation exactly. Duan Kan’s troops are still numerous and they are still united. It wasn’t that they were poor fighters in the Battle of Jinan. It was only because Duan Kan did not direct them well, thus bringing about his own defeat. Now they are behind natural barriers and strong walls, and men in all ranks are fighting as one. If we send all our elite troops to attack them, we could take the city in probably just around a month, but we will certainly suffer many casualties.

“Since we began campaigning in the Central Plains, the soldiers have not had a moment's rest, but you are always demanding more of them. Every time I think about that, I can’t sleep at night. How could I throw them so lightly to their deaths? The key is in taking the city. There is no need in seeking for quick glory!”

His officers said, "We would never have thought of that." When this discussion became generally known in the camp, the people rejoiced. Thus they kept up their siege lines, and the people of Qi rushed against each other to provide the Yan army with grain.

卽淄水之戰。曰濟南者，以濟水南北大界言之。【章：十二行本「日」作「旬」；乙十一行本同；孔本同。】

Murong Ke means the battle at the Zi River. He calls it Jinan because it was at the boundary between the north and south of the Ji River.

Some versions say "tens of days" instead of "days".

It is curious to note that Murong Ke almost always advocated besieging cities and not assaulting them, a direct repudiation of one of the Art of War's tenets. "Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various implements of war, will take up three whole months; and the piling up of mounds over against the walls will take three months more. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege." (3.2)

22. Duan Kan barricaded his city, and even the trails used by woodcutters and herb-gatherers were blocked off. The people within the city began to eat each other. Duan Kan gathered his host and went forth to battle. Murong Ke routed him within the encirclement, first sending out riders to guard each gate. Duan Kan personally fought through the Yan siege and escaped into the city alone, while his soldiers did not. Morale within the city plummeted, and no one was willing to defend the city.

In the eleventh month, on the day Bingzi (December 22nd), Duan Kan bound himself and went out to offer his surrender, and sent Zhu Tu, who had killed Murong Han's son Murong Gou, to Ji. Murong Ke calmed the people and pacified the Qi region. He relocated more than three thousand households of Xianbei, Hu, and Jie to Ji. Murong Jun subjected Zhu Tu to the five punishments, and appointed Duan Kan as General of Obedient Submission. Murong Ke left Murong Chen to guard Guanggu, and appointed the Minister of the Left of the Masters of Writing Ju Yin as Administrator of Donglai. He also appointed Xianyu Liang, the current Administrator of Zhangwu, as Administrator of Jijun, before returning to Ji.

時外築長圍，故戰於圍裏。屯廣固城諸門也。朱禿殺慕容鉤而奔龕，見上卷十年。

At that time, the Yan army had constructed a fence outside the city, thus they did battle within the encirclement/fence.

The text means the several gates of Guanggu.

The account of Zhu Tu killing Murong Gou and fleeing to Duan Kan was mentioned in the tenth year of Yonghe (354.22) in the last book (Book 99).

This is presumably the same Xianyu Liang as was mentioned in earlier Yan accounts.

23. This Ju Yin whom Murong Ke left to govern Donglai was the son of Ju Peng. At this time, Ju Peng was Yan's manager of the Empress’s staff. He wrote to his son warning him, "Wang Mi and Cao Yi must still have descendants in the area. You must treat them well and comfort them, for if you do not ease the old hatreds, then the chaos will only continue!"

Ju Yin agreed, and sought out Wang Mi's son Wang Li and Cao Yi's grandson Cao Yan among the hills. He invited them over to meet them, and affected deep feelings all around. Ju Peng subsequently sent to them gifts of carts, horses, and clothing. The people of that area thus knew peace.

嶷，魚力翻。鞠彭自東萊歸燕，見九十一卷元帝太興二年。

嶷 is pronounced "yi (y-i)".

The account of Ju Peng's flight from Donglai to Yan is recounted in the second year of Taixing (319) from Sima Rui's era, in Book 91.

This is the same Ju Peng who was mentioned during Zhao’s 338 invasion of Yan as leading two hundred braves to Jicheng. In 319, he had been Jin’s Administrator of Donglai. Back then, he was attacked by Cao Yi and Wang Mi. Ju Peng’s strength was about equal to Cao Yi’s, and he had the support of the people. But in order to prevent senseless fighting, he left Donglai behind and fled north to Liaodong.

荀羨聞段龕已敗，退還下邳，留將軍諸葛攸、高平太守劉莊將三千人守琅邪。參軍譙國戴遂等將二千人守泰山。燕將慕容蘭屯汴城，羨擊斬之。

24. When Xun Xian heard that Duan Kan had already been defeated, he retreated back to Xiapi, and left Zhuge You and the Administrator of Gaoping, Liu Zhuang, with three thousand men to hold Langye. The Army Advisor of Qiao, Dai Dun, and others held Qinshan with two thousand men.

The Yan general Murong Lan camped at Biancheng. Xun Xian marched to attack him and killed him.

汴城，卽浚儀城。余謂「汴」當作「卞」。魯國卞縣城也。劉昫曰：兗州泗水縣，卞縣古城也。

Biancheng later became the city Junyi. I believe that 汴 is properly written as 卞. It is the same city as Bianxian from the state of Lu (from the Spring and Autumn era). Liu Xu remarked, "The old city of Bianxian is in Sishui County in Yanzhou."

Liu Xu was a prominent official during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period that followed the Tang dynasty. He was the chief editor of the Old Book of Tang, one of the main histories of that dynasty.

詔遣兼司空、散騎常侍車灌等持節如洛陽，修五陵。十二月，庚戌，帝及群臣皆服緦，臨於太極殿三日。

25. The Jin court ordered the 兼 Minister of Works and Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Che Guan, and others to go to Luoyang with staffs of authority and repair the five imperial tombs there. In the twelfth month, on the day Gengxu (January 25th), Emperor Mu and his ministers all dressed in coarse linen, and spent three days in mourning at the Taiji Palace.

宣帝陵在河陰首陽山；景帝陵曰峻平，文帝陵曰崇陽，武帝陵曰峻陽，惠帝陵曰太陽。車，尺奢翻。緦，十五升布，抽去其半。

These were the five Jin imperial tombs: the tomb of Emperor Xuan, Sima Yi, at Mount Shouyang in Heyin; the tomb of Emperor Jing, Sima Shi, called Junping; the tomb of Emperor Wen, Sima Zhao, called Chongyang; the tomb of Emperor Wu, Sima Yan, called Junyang; and the tomb of Emperor Hui, Sima Zhong, called Taiyang.

車 is pronounced "che (ch-e)".

Court robes were made with fifteen skeins (1200 threads) in the warp. Half that number made the coarse cloth for the shortest mourning.

司州都督謝尚以疾不行，以丹楊君王胡之代之，未行而卒。胡之，廙之子也。

26. Xie Shang, Jin’s Commander of military affairs in Sizhou, had still not recovered from his illness, so he had the Lord of Danyang, Wang Huzhi, act in his place, but he died before he could set out. This Wang Huzhi was the son of Wang Yi.

1. In spring, the first month, on the new moon of the day Renxu (February 6th), Emperor Mu of Jin had his capping ceremony. Empress Dowager Chu resigned her regency over the government. There was a general amnesty and a changing of the reign title, and Empress Dowager Chu retired to the Chongde Palace.

2. Murong Jun appointed the Inspector of Youzhou, Yi Yi, as Household Counsellor of the Left. Before they set out for the capital, Yi Yi and his wife rode in one small carriage together. His son Yi Zhang, with dozens of riders in his entourage and dressed in fine splendor, welcomed his father on the road. Yi Yi was furious, and he shut the carriage door and did not speak with him. When they reached the city, Yi Yi chastised Yi Zhang severely, but Yi Zhang still did not repent.

Yi Yi often worried about his own downfall, but Yi Zhang constantly got himself promoted, first to Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, and then to Secretary to the Middle Minister. Yi Yi lamented, "When I was young, I studied to improve myself. I practiced self-discipline and kept to the Way. Only thus was I able to avoid causing any offense. But my son does not conduct himself frugally, but lavishly follows the latest trends, and lives flashily. How can these things only be my son's ill-gotten good luck? Truly it is a sign of the decline of the times."

到城，謂到薊城也。永和八年，燕王都薊，於龍城置留臺，以乙逸領留務，蓋以幽州刺史鎭龍城也。

By the city, the text means Ji. In the eighth year of Yonghe (352), the capital of Yan was moved to Ji, while only the detached administrative offices remained at Longcheng. As Inspector of Youzhou, Yi Yi stayed behind there to handle affairs and guard Longcheng.

二月，癸丑，燕主俊立其子中山王暐為太子，大赦，改元光壽。

3. In the second month, on the day Guichou (March 29th), Murong Jun appointed his son Murong Wei, the Prince of Zhongshan, as Crown Prince. There was a general amnesty, and the reign era title in Yan was changed to Guangshou.

太白入東井。秦有司奏：「太白罰星，東井秦分，必有暴兵起京師。」秦主生曰：「太白入井，自為渴耳，何所怪乎！」

4. Venus entered the Eastern Well quadrant of the sky. The Astrology Office of Qin reported to Fu Sheng, "Venus is the bringer of punishment, and Qinzhou's star lies within the Eastern Well. This points to an uprising of soldiers against the capital."

Fu Sheng said, "So Venus went into the well; it must be thirsty. What's strange about that?"

During Han, Beiju was part of Hedong commandary, and during Jin it was part of Pingyang commandary. Yan Shigu remarked, "屈 is pronounced 'ju (j-u)'." During the Spring and Autumn era, the young Duke Yiwu of Jin (Duke Hui of Jin) lived there. According to the "Records" and the "Tribute of Yu" in the Book of Documents, Mount Hukou was in the southeast of Beiju County. According to the Commentary on the Water Classic, "Beiju is ten li west of the Yellow River, and the river has a source at Mount Mengmen." So Yao Xiang crossed over the Yellow River in traveling from Beiju to camp at Shacheng. The History of the Five Dynasties says, "Mount Hukou is in Changning County in Fenzhou." Song Bai remarked, "In Cizhou there is Jixiang County, which during Han was called Beiju County; the modern county is twenty-one li north of the old city, which was Hanli."

Wei Shou's Geographical Records states, "Xingcheng is in Chengcheng County." According to Yan Shigu, "Chengcheng was known during the Han as Zheng County in Pingyi." 徵 is pronounced similar to "cheng". According to the Chronicles of the Book of Jin, Xingcheng was north of Mount Malan. Du You remarked, "The Xingcheng which Yao Chang guarded was seven li west of modern Fangzhou."

Yao Xiang sent his General Who Upholds The State, Yao Lan, to attack Fucheng, and sent his General of 曜武, Yao Yisheng, and his General of the Left, Wang Qinlu, to go with their troops to entice the Qiang and the other tribes to surrender. This Yao Lan was Yao Xiang's cousin; this Yao Yisheng was his elder brother. More than fifty thousand households of Qiang and other tribal people of Qin joined with them.

The Qin general Fu Feilong attacked Yao Lan, and captured him. Yao Xiang brought his troops forward and captured Huangluo. Fu Sheng sent his Grand Guard General and Prince of Guangping, Fu Huangmei, against Yao Xiang with fifty thousand horse and foot, and along with Fu Huangmei went the General Who Pacifies The North, Fu Dao, the Dragon-Soaring General and Prince of Donghai, Fu Jian, and the General Who Establishes Fortitude, Deng Qiang. Yao Xiang reinforced his defenses and refused to offer battle.

敷城，唐坊州鄜城縣是也；後魏置敷城縣，隋改曰鄜城。漢、魏之間置建節中郎將，後以爲將軍號。

This Fucheng was the same as Fucheng County in the Tang dynasty's Fangzhou. Northern Wei changed its name to 敷城 (Fucheng), and Sui changed it further to 鄜城 (Fucheng).

Deng Qiang's title, General Who Establishes Fortitude, was originally General of the Gentlemen of the Household Who Establishes Fortitude during Han and Cao-Wei. It later became the title for a full general.

Deng Qiang said to Fu Huangmei, "Yao Xiang has been defeated before by Huan Wen and Zhang Ping, and this nettles him. However, he is unyielding and fierce in nature. If you make loud noises and wave your flags and march straight at his fort, then he will surely be angered and come out, and then you can capture him in a single battle."

In the fifth month, Deng Qiang led three thousand cavalry up to Yao Xiang's rampart gate and carried out this display to taunt Yao Xiang. Yao Xiang was greatly angered and brought out all his soldiers to meet the Qin army in battle. Deng Qiang feigned defeat and ran away, and Yao Xiang pursued him, until they reached Sanyuan. Deng Qiang's horsemen then wheeled about and attacked, and Fu Huangmei and the others also appeared with the main body. Yao Xiang's soldiers suffered a great defeat.

Sanyuan was on the border of Chiyang County in Pingyi during Han. Song Bai remarked, "Fu Jian led his army at Sanyuan north of Kuinie. Later Zhou named this place as Sanyuan County."

黧 is pronounced similar to "li", and can also be pronounced "li (l-i)". 黧 means a color that is black and yet yellow. 騧 is pronounced "gua (g-ua)". It was a yellow horse with a black mouth, so it was called 騧 ("piebald"). (In other words, Limeigua meant roughly “Sallow-Browed Piebald”.)

萇 is pronounced "zhang (zh-ang)".

Yao Xiang had kept the body of his father Yao Yizhong with his army. When his surrendered soldiers reached Qin, Fu Sheng had Yao Yizhong’s body buried at Gupan with funeral rites suited for a prince, and he buried Yao Xiang with ducal funeral rites, as the Prince of Guangping.

When Fu Huangmei and the others returned to Chang'an, Fu Sheng did not reward them for their services, and in fact he publicly insulted Fu Huangmei several times. Fu Huangmei was greatly enraged, and plotted to kill Fu Sheng; but his plot was discovered, and he was executed. Numerous relatives of the princely or ducal houses were implicated and killed as well.

在牀曰尸，在棺曰柩。孤磐，在天水冀縣界。【章：十二行本「襄」下有「廣平王」三字；乙十一行本同；孔本同。】

When a body is lying on a bed, it’s referred to as 尸. When it is lying in a coffin, it’s referred to as a 柩.

Gupan was on the border of Ji County in Tianshui.

Some versions further identify Yao Xiang during his burial as "Prince of Guangping".

戊寅，燕主俊遣撫軍將軍垂、中軍將軍虔、護軍將軍平熙帥步騎八萬攻敕勒於塞北，大破之，俘斬十餘萬，獲馬十三萬匹，牛羊億萬頭。

6. On the day Wuyin (June 22nd), Murong Jun sent his General Who Nurtures The Army, Murong Chui, his General of the Center Army, Murong Qian, and his General Who Protects The Army, Murong Ping, with fifty thousand horse and foot to attack the Chile people beyond the northern borders. They greatly defeated the Chile, capturing or killing over a hundred thousand, and seizing a hundred and thirty thousand horses and millions of sheep and cattle.

《新唐書》曰：敕勒，其先匈奴也，元魏時號高車部，其後訛爲「鐵勒」，唐之鐵勒十五種是也。《載記》作「丁零勑勤［勒］」。

The New Book of Tang states, "The Chile were originally part of the Xiongnu. During the era of Emperor Yuan of Wei (Cao Huan), they were called the Gaoche, and later on they became mistakenly known as the 'Tiele'. During the Tang, there were fifteen different types of the Tiele." The Chronicles of the Book of Jin states, "The 'Le' came from the Chile of the Dingling."

匈奴單于賀賴頭帥部落三萬五千口降燕，燕人處之代郡平舒城。

7. The Xiongnu chanyu Helai Tou led his thirty-five thousand people to submit to Yan. They were settled at Pingshu in Dai commandary.

Since the Eastern Han, there were nineteen branches of Xiongnu who had moved to live within the borders. The Helai were one of these.

During Han, Dai commandary contained Pingshu County, and Bohai had an eastern Pingshu County. The eastern Pingshu became part of the Hejian princely fief during Later Han, and under Jin it became part of the Zhangwu region. The Pingshu of Dai commandary had not been changed. When one writes of Dai commandary, that Pingshu is not the one in Zhangwu. The Pingshu in Dai was the northern border of Wei during Tang.

8. It happened one night that Fu Sheng dreamt of a large fish eating a bullrush plant. At that time, there was a popular ditty in Chang'an: "From eastern sea a fish will rise, and like a soaring dragon fly. His sons will wear the princely crown, his daughters dress in regal gown." Because of his dream, Fu Sheng believed that this song was talking about the Grand Tutor, chief of the imperial secretariat, and Duke of Guangning, Yu Zun, so he put Yu Zun to death, along with his seven sons and ten grandsons.

Fu Sheng's dream was significant to him because the character for fish, 魚 Yu, was the same as the surname of his minister Yu Zun, while the character for bullrush, 蒲 Pu, had also been Fu Sheng’s family’s surname before Fu Hong changed it. According to the Book of Jin, Fu Hong’s childhood home had a large bullrush on the grounds, from which the family took its original surname Pu.

The children's song probably meant to refer to Fu Sheng's cousin Fu Jian. At this time, Fu Jian held noble title as Prince of Donghai (literally "eastern sea") and his rank was Dragon-Soaring General.

The Household Counselor with Golden Tassel, Niu Yi, feared calamity, so he asked to be sent to Jingzhou, but Fu Sheng did not agree, instead making him General of the Center Army. He summoned Niu Yi and teased him, saying, "It's in a bull's nature to be slow and steady, and he is best suited for drawing a cart. Although he lacks the grace of a fine steed, he can bear great weight when he walks."

Niu Yi said, "Although the bull has drawn great carriages, he has not be tested along sheer cliffs. But I am willing to try carrying a heavy burden, and by that you may see what I can achieve."

Fu Sheng jokingly replied, "Do you consider your current load too light? Perhaps I should grant you Duke Yu's old offices." Niu Yi became afraid at this; he withdrew and killed himself.

9. Fu Sheng drank regardless of night or day, often not coming out to attend court for months on end. Reports that were submitted to him were not read, and often were just put aside, or else he made his decisions under the influence of wine. Because of that, those around him committed villainous acts, doling out rewards and punishments wantonly. Sometimes Fu Sheng would not come out to court until the ninth or tenth watch, and would then kill many while being drunk.

Because of his blind eye, Fu Sheng forbade the use of the words "incomplete", "missing", "lacking", "slanted", "only", "less", and "without". Those who accidentally violated that order and were executed were innumerable. He enjoyed skinning alive cows, sheep, donkeys, or horses, or dunking chickens, pigs, geese, and ducks in boiling water to remove their feathers and hair, and placed them before the hall in groups of dozens. He would sometimes flay the skin off people's faces, and make them sing and dance before him as entertainment.

Fu Sheng asked those around him, "Since the realm became mine, what have you heard said about me?"

Someone said, "Your rule is sagacious, your rewards and punishments most suited, and the realm sings songs of peace."

He angrily replied, "You flatterer!" and had that person executed.

When he again asked the question on another day, another person said, "Your Majesty punishes people somewhat excessively."

Fu Sheng replied, "You slanderer!" and had him executed. Long-serving and meritorious ministers, as well as family relations, were almost all exterminated. For the ministers, enduring each day was like living through ten years.

10. Qin’s Prince of Donghai, Fu Jian, had a good reputation, and so won the loyalty of Xue Zan and Quan Yi, some of Yao Xiang's former officers who had surrendered to Qin. Xue Zan and Quan Yi secretly said to him, "Our lord is paranoid and cruel, and everyone has turned against him. Qin deserves a better lord, and who else but Your Highness? You should act at once, and not let some other family seize control!"

Fu Jian asked the Master of Writing, Lü Polou, for his advice. Lü Polou said, "I am someone who’s already on the chopping block.; I would not do for handling grand affairs. But there is a certain Wang Meng who is lodging with me. He is not of this world, and no one else can compare with him for developing plans. Your Highness ought to meet with him."

Heeding Lu Polou’s advice, Fu Jian asked Wang Meng to come see him; as soon as they saw one another, they were like old friends. When they spoke of current affairs, Fu Jian was greatly pleased, and said that this was just like when Liu Xuande first met Zhuge Kongming.

During Cao-Wei and Jin, soldiers would use a bladed ring to kill people. So Lü Polou was saying that he was only useful for killing Fu Sheng. In other words, the blade itself was useful, but outside of the ring it had no purpose. Lü Polou meant that he was about to be killed by Fu Sheng. Another explanation: a broadsword is useful because of the blade. The rings on it are useless, and Lü Polou was using them as a metaphor for his situation.

The term 不世出 means that a man of this calibre is not often born into this world.

Liu Bei's first meeting with Zhuge Liang is recounted in Emperor Xian of Han's the twelfth year of Jian'an (207) in Book 65 (207.O in de Crespigny's To Establish Peace).

11. In the sixth month, Qin’s Court Historian, Kang Quan, said to Fu Sheng, "Last night, three moons appeared at once. A comet entered the Supreme Palace Enclosure, crossing into the Eastern Well. For more than ten days, ince early last month, it has been cloudy and dark but without rain. This foretells the danger that a subordinate is plotting against you." Fu Sheng grew angry, believing that these were distortions, so he had Kang Quan thrown to his death.

《姓譜》曰：康，衞康叔之後，亦西胡姓。此亦據《洪範五行傳》言之也。

The Registry of Surnames says, "The surname 康 Kang comes from Weikang Shu (a younger brother of King Wu of Zhou). It is also a surname among the western Hu."

This reading of the astrological signs corresponds with that listed in the Movements of the Five Elements, in the Great Plan (which is in the Book of Documents).

12. Qin's Specially Advanced and acting Palace Assistant Imperial Clerk, Liang Pinglao, and others said to Fu Jian, "Our ruler has abandoned virtue, and everyone weeps at it. The people wish for a change. Yan and Jin are still on our borders, waiting for an opportunity to move against us. I fear if some calamity occurs, the state will be destroyed. This matter concerns Your Highness as well, so you must act at once!" Although Fu Jian felt the same way, he feared Fu Sheng's awesome strength, and did not dare to act right away.

Fu Sheng said to his palace maids one night, "A-Fa and his brother cannot be trusted. I will deal with them tomorrow." The maidens went and told Fu Jian and his brother Fu Fa the news. Fu Fa and Liang Pinglao, along with the Household Counsellor and Specially Advanced Qiang Wang, snuck through the Yunlong Gate with several hundred men, while Fu Jian and Lü Polou led their three hundred followers to beat drums and call the advance. The gate guards all threw down their weapons and flocked to Fu Jian.

Fu Sheng was in the midst of his drunkenness. When Fu Jian's soldiers arrived, Fu Sheng fearfully asked those around him, "Who goes there?"

They told him, "Rebels!"

Fu Sheng said, "Why do you not make obeisance to me?" Fu Jian's soldiers all laughed. Fu Sheng cried out, "Make obeisance at once, or I will have you killed!"

Fu Jian's soldiers took Fu Sheng into another room, and he was deposed to be the Prince of Yue. He was then killed, and his posthumous name was Prince Li (“the Harsh”).

嗷嗷，衆口愁聲。魏明帝起洛陽宮，宮城正南門曰雲龍門。苻氏據長安，亦以宮城正南門爲雲龍門。年二十三。

嗷嗷 means a wail of sorrow.

When Emperor Ming of Cao-Wei (Cao Rui) built his palace at Luoyang, the southern main gate of his palace was named the Yunlong Gate. When the Fu clan entered Chang'an, they also named the southern main gate of their palace Yunlong.

13. The throne now being vacant, Fu Jian offered it to Fu Fa. Fu Fa said, "You are most worthy, and furthermore you were born from Father's wife; you should lead."

Fu Jian said, "You are the elder brother; the throne should be yours."

Fu Jian's mother, Lady Gou, said to the gathered ministers with tears in her eyes, "My son knows that he is little prepared to handle such great affairs. If anything regrettable should come to pass, the blame is on you all." The ministers all made obeisance to Fu Jian and asked him to take the throne. Fu Jian thereupon set aside the title of Emperor, instead claiming for himself the title Heavenly Prince of Qin, and taking Taiji Palace as his seat.

Fu Jian put to death Fu Sheng's minions, the Palace Secretary Dong Rong, the Deputy Director of the Left, Zhao Shao, and more than twenty others. A general amnesty was declared, and the Qin reign title was changed to Yongxing. He honored his late father Fu Xiong as Emperor Wenhuan and his mother Lady Gou as Empress Dowager. He made his wife Lady Gou his Empress, and his son Fu Hong his Crown Prince.

Fu Fa was appointed Commander of all military affairs, Prime Minister, chief of the imperial secretariat, and Duke of Donghai. All the other Princes were likewise demoted to Dukes. Fu Jian named his grand-uncle Fu Hou, the Household Counselor of the Right and Duke of Yong'an, as Grand Commandant; the Duke of Jin, Fu Liu, was named Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Prefect of the Masters of Writing. He named his younger brother Fu Rong as Duke of Yangping, and his younger brother Fu Shuang as Duke of Henan. Among his sons, he named Fu Pi as Duke of Changle, Fu Hui as Duke of Pingyuan, Fu Xi as Duke of Guangping, and Fu Rui as Duke of Julu. He named Li Wei of Hanyang as Deputy Director of the Left and Liang Pinglao as Deputy Director of the Right; Qiang Wang was named General Who Directs The Army; Lü Polou was named Colonel-Director of Retainers; Wang Meng was named Gentleman Attendant of the Palace Secretariat.

堅母苟氏，雄之元妃，故謂堅爲嫡嗣。苻堅，字永固，雄之子也。李威於堅母有辟陽之寵，故擢用之。

Fu Jian's mother Lady Gou was Fu Xiong's chief wife, and that is why Fu Fa said Fu Jian was entitled to the throne as the son of the wife.

Fu Jian, styled Yonggu, was Fu Xiong's son.

Li Wei received "the favor of Piyang" from Fu Jian's mother, which he used to advance his position.

"The favor of Piyang" refers to the illicit love affair between Liu Bang’s wife, Empress Lü, and the Han minister Shen Yiji. One of the titles that the Empress favored him with was Marquis of Piyang. The phrase refers to a man who becomes the lover of an Empress in order to advance his position.

14. Fu Jian’s brother Fu Rong delighted in books and was very discerning and perceptive; what he once heard he always remembered, and whatever he saw he never forgot. He was strong as a hundred foes, and was adept in horseback archery and other martial arts. He had enjoyed a high reputation since his youth. Fu Jian greatly treasured him, and often consulted him on state affairs. Fu Rong made his mark in both domestic and foreign matters, clearly correcting governmental problems, recommending talented people and promoting those who had been left behind, and he spread many benefits.

Fu Jian’s son Fu Pi was also talented in both civil and military affairs. But in administration and justice, he was inferior to Fu Rong.

史言堅有弟有子如此而無救於敗亡，明天之所棄，非人之所能支也。

The passage is saying, the fact that having such a brother and such a son did not save Fu Jian from his demise is a clear indication that Heaven had abandoned him, and it was beyond any mortal’s strength to stem it.

15. Li Wei was Empress Dowager Gou's cousin, and he had been friendly with the late Prince of Wei, Fu Xiong. On various occasions when Fu Sheng wished to kill Fu Jian, Fu Jian was saved only due to Li Wei’s help. Li Wei had the favor of Empress Dowager Gou, and Fu Jian considered him as a second father.

Li Wei knew Wang Meng's worth, and often advised Fu Jian to grant him a role in state affairs. Fu Jian said to Wang Meng, "Duke Li knows your worth, just as Bao Shuya knew Guan Zhong's worth." And Wang Meng served him as he would serve an older brother.

The Records of the Grand Historian says, “When they were young, Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya traveled together. Bao Shuya knew Guan Zhong's worth, and treated him well. Guan Zhong said of him, ‘When I was first in difficulty, I did business together with Bao Shuya. When I took more than my share, Bao Shuya did not consider me greedy, but knew my poverty. When I first wished to plan things with Bao Shuya, and afterwards suffered hardships, Bao Shuya did not see me as a burden, but knew that some times brought profit and some did not. When I thrice sought office and was thrice sent away, Bao Shuya did not consider me unworthy, but knew that it was not yet my time. When I thrice fled from battle, Bao Shuya knew that I was not cowardly, but that I had an old mother to consider. When I supported the Duke's son who met with defeat, yet I avoided death and languished in a prison instead, Bao Shuya knew that I was not shameless, but that such a small affair could not shame my reputation and my achievements in the world. It was my parents who gave birth to me, but it is Bao Shuya who truly knows me.’” (Book 62)

17. In autumn, the seventh month, Qin's Grand General and Inspector of Jizhou, Zhang Ping, sent messengers to offer submission to Jin. He was appointed as Jin’s Inspector of Bingzhou.

八月，丁未，立皇后何氏。後，故散騎侍郎廬江何淮之女也。禮如咸康而不賀。

18. In the eighth month, on the day Dingwei (September 19th), Lady He was made Empress of Jin. She was the daughter of the former Cavalier Gentleman Attendant, He Huai of Lujiang. the ceremony was like the one in the second year of Xiankang, and there was no special celebration.

成帝咸康二年，立杜后。

Lady Du had been made Empress by Emperor Cheng in the second year of Xiankang (Book 95, 336.5).

秦王堅以權翼為給事黃門侍郎，薛贊為中書侍郎，與王猛並掌機密。九月，追復太師魚遵等官，以禮改葬，子孫存者皆隨才擢敘。

19. Fu Jian appointed Quan Yi as Assistant Attendant of the Yellow Gate, and Xue Zan as Gentleman Attendant of the Palace Secretariat, and had them handle confidential affairs together with Wang Meng.

In the ninth month, Fu Jian posthumously restored the former titles to Yu Zun and the other executed ministers, reburying them with the proper rites. Their surviving sons and grandsons were promoted or placed in office according to their abilities.

權翼仕秦，久當事任，而卒歸姚氏。料其受苻堅信用，雖不爲莊舄之越吟，固隱之於心也。

Quan Yi served under Qin for a long time, though long afterwards (in 385) he went back to the Yao clan (when Yao Chang formed Later Qin). Though he gained Fu Jian's trust, even if he did not quite hear the "bird's cry of Yue from the old home" as do those of a fallen state, he certainly still held some of the old loyalty in his heart.

20. The Bingzhou warlord Zhang Ping held Xinxing, Yanmen, Xihe, Taiyuan, Shangdang, and Shangjun as his territory, and had more than three hundred fortified places. His territory had over a hundred thousand Yi (tribal) and Xia (ethnic Han) households. Zhang Ping appointed various generals of the Conquers or Guards ranks, intending to contest with Yan and Qin.

In winter, the tenth month, Zhang Ping invaded Qin territory. Fu Jian granted Fu Liu control over Bingzhou and Jizhou military affairs, as well as making him Governor of Bingzhou, and sent him to defend Puban.

Fortified places were areas built where people who had been separated by the wars could gathered together to defend one another. The Shi clan had used Zhang Ping in Bingzhou, and that was how he held command of so many places and so many people.

After the fall of the Shi clan, Zhang Ping vacillated between Yan and Qin. But now that he felt he had grown stronger, he wished to fight against both Yan and Qin.

Zhang Ping thought that he could take advantage of the upheaval within Qin. Little did he know that it would lead to his destruction!

十一月，癸酉，燕主俊自薊徙都鄴。

21. In the eleventh month, on the day Guiyou (December 14th), Murong Jun moved the capital from Ji to Ye.

22. Empress Dowager Gou traveled to the Xuanming Terrace. Seeing that the gate of Fu Fa’s residence had many carriages coming in and out of it, she feared that he might someday cause trouble for Fu Jian, so she and Li Wei plotted together, and arranged for Fu Fa to commit suicide. Fu Jian and Fu Fa said goodbye to each other in the East Hall, crying bitterly to the point of spitting up blood.

Fu Fa was posthumously named Duke Xian'Ai (“The mourned one who gave up himself”), and his sons Fu Yang and Fu Fu were named Duke of Donghai and Duke of Qinghe.

爲後陽謀復讎張本。

This was the cause for Fu Yang's later attempt at revenge (Book 104, 382.1).

十二月，乙巳，燕主俊入鄴宮，大赦。復作銅雀台。

23. In the twelfth month, on the day Yisi (January 15th), Murong Jun entered the palace in Ye. A general amnesty was declared. The Copper Bird Terrace was restored.

魏武建國於鄴，作銅雀臺，石氏增修之，兵亂圮毀，慕容都鄴復作，使如舊。

Emperor Wu of Wei (Cao Cao) had established his princely fief at Ye, where he built the Copper Bird Terrace, and the Shi clan had added to it. During the chaos surrounding the fall of Zhao, the Terrace had collapsed in ruins. When the Murong clan moved their capital to Ye, they rebuilt it, just as it was before.

以太常王彪之為左僕射。

24. Jin's Minister of Ceremonies, Wang Biaozhi, was appointed as Deputy Director of the Left.

秦王堅行至尚書，以文案不治，免左丞程卓官，以王猛代之。堅舉異才，修廢職，課農桑，恤困窮，禮百神，立學校，旌節義，繼絕世；秦民大悅。

25. Fu Jian went to visit the imperial secretariat. Seeing how affairs were in disarray there, Fu Jian removed the Minister of the Left, Cheng Zhuo, from office, and had Wang Meng take over his duties.

Fu Jian employed rare talents, and filled lapsed posts. He encouraged the people in their farming and silkworm cultivation, and cared for the poor and destitute. He honored the various spirits, and founded academies of learning. He heralded those who were virtuous and upright, and found heirs for those whose line would have been broken. The people of Qin were very pleased.

史言苻堅能用王猛以治秦。

This passage demonstrates how Fu Jian was able to use Wang Meng to govern Qin.

1. In spring, the first month, Jin's Minister Over The Masses, Sima Yu, offered to return his governmental responsibilities to Emperor Mu, but Emperor Mu declined.

初，馮鴦既以上黨來降，又附於張平，又自歸於燕，既而復叛燕。二月，燕司徒上庸王評討之，不克。

2. It was earlier mentioned (355.22) that Feng Yang had taken over Shangdang and submitted himself to Jin. Later, he allied with Zhang Ping; after that, he went over to Yan. In the end, he rebelled against Yan. In the second month, Yan's Minister Over The Masses and Prince of Shangyong, Murong Ping, campaigned against Zhang Ping, but was unsuccessful.

3. Fu Jian went himself to campaign against Zhang Ping, and sent Deng Qiang to command his vanguard force. Deng Qiang led five thousand cavalry, with the main army following behind to Fenshang. Zhang Ping sent his adopted son Zhang Qi ahead to oppose Deng Qiang. Zhang Qi was a very strong and agile man, able to walk backward dragging an ox. He was able to scale any city wall, high or low. Zhang Qi was locked in a stalemate with Deng Qiang for more than ten days, with neither side able to claim the advantage.

In the third month, Fu Jian arrived at Tongbi. Zhang Ping went forward with his host to offer battle. Zhang Qi rode into Qin’s formation and out again, four or five times. Fu Jian asked for Zhang Qi to be captured alive, and the General of Hawkish Display, Lü Guang, thrust his spear at Zhang Qi and struck him. Deng Qiang then captured Zhang Qi and brought him back to Fu Jian, and Zhang Ping's army melted away. Zhang Ping, frightened, offered to surrender. Fu Jian appointed Zhang Ping as General of the Right, and appointed Zhang Qi as Lively Tiger General of the Household.

Zhang Qi's surname had originally been Gong, and he was a native of Shangdang. Fu Jian favored him greatly, and he was often by Fu Jian's side. The people of Qin called Zhang Qi and Deng Qiang "Foe of Ten Thousands". This Lü Guang was the son of Lü Polou. Fu Jian relocated more than three thousand of Zhang Ping's households to Chang'an.

汾水之上也。蚝，七吏翻。河、汾之間有銅川，其民遇亂，築銅壁以自守，因曰銅壁。《姓譜》：弓姓，魯叔弓之後。

Fenshang was on the Fen River. 蚝 is pronounced "qi (q-i)".

The city of Tongchuan lies between the Yellow and Fen Rivers. When people encountered trouble, they built copper walls to protect themselves, so it was called Tongbi ("Copper Walls").

Tongchuan is still a city in modern China, in Shaanxi province.

The Registry of Surnames says, "The surname Gong comes from Shu Gong of the state of Lü."

Shu Gong is mentioned in the Zuo Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Duke Zhao’s book).

萬人敵 or “Foe of Ten Thousands” was earlier used to describe Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.

Lü Guang, styled Shiming, was a Di of Lüeyang. His ancestor was Lü Wenhe. At the beginning of Emperor Wen of Han's reign (180), Lü Wenhe was forced to move away from Pei due to hardship. Through the generations, Lü Guang's ancestors were local leaders. His father was Lü Polou, a minister under Fu Jian who rose as high as Grand Commandant.

Lü Guang was born at Fangtou. During the night, there was the sign of a divine glow, and it was because of this that he was named Guang ("glow"). When he was ten years old, he would run around the town with other boys, practicing military formations, and his peers all acclaimed him as their leader. Lü Guang divided the groups neatly and exactly, and the other children all gasped in admiration of him. He took no pleasure in studying, and only enjoyed hawking and riding.

When Lü Guang grew up, he was eight cun and four chi in height. His eyes had double pupils, and his left elbow had a mark on the flesh. He was solemn and resolute, dignified and grave. He was broadminded and simple, and possessed great magnanimity. Whether he was pleased or angry, he did not show it in his expression. At that time, he held no office, and only Wang Meng saw something in him. Wang Meng remarked, "This is no ordinary fellow", and he mentioned him to Fu Jian as a worthy talent. He was appointed as Prefect of Meiyang, and the tribes and the Xia (Han) people all respected him. He was then moved to General of Hawkish Display.

When Fu Jian campaigned against Zhang Ping, Lü Guang followed him. At the battle of Tongbi, he attacked Zhang Ping's adopted son Zhang Hao and struck him with his sword, and this enhanced Lü Guang's martial reputation.

(The Book of Jin records the first name of Zhang Ping's adopted son as 蠔, where in ZZTJ it is 蚝.)

4. On the day Jiaxu (April 14th), Murong Jun sent his General Who Lead The Army, Muyu Gen, to assist his Minister Over The Masses, Murong Ping, in attacking Feng Yang. Muyu Gen wished to boldly attack. Murong Ping said, "Feng Yang has a stout defense. It would be better not to."

Muyu Gen replied, "Not so. You have been outside the city for nearly a month already, and yet you have not had a taste of battle. The enemies believe that this is the limit of our state's strength, so they will stand united with each other, hoping for a lucky break. My own soldiers have just arrived here, and our morale has just been boosted. The rebels all quake with fear, and they are all considering desertion; they have yet to settle on a strategy. If we take advantage of this and attack them, we cannot help but win."

So they fiercely attacked. Feng Yang and his followers all suspected one another, so they did not fight together. Feng Yang fled to Yewang to seek refuge under Lü Hu, and then offered his submission.

言鴦心僥倖於萬一可以保城也。

This is saying, Feng Yang’s heart held onto the hope that his forces might just be able to hold the city.

夏，四月，秦王堅如雍，祠五畤；六月，如河東，祀后土。

5. In summer, the fourth month, Fu Jian went to Yong, to make the five sacrifices; in the sixth month, he went to Hedong, to make sacrifices to the Earth.

6. In autumn, the eighth month, Jin’s Inspector of Yuzhou, Xie Yi, passed away. This Xie Yi was the older brother of Xie An. The Minister Over The Masses, Sima Yu, appointed the General Who Establishes Valor, Huan Yun, in his stead. This Huan Yun was Huan Wen's younger brother.

Sima Yu visited the Deputy Director, Wang Biaozhi, to discuss the matter. Wang Biaozhi advised him, "It is not that Huan Yun is not talented. But Huan Wen is already in charge of the upper reaches of the Yangzi, and thus half of the realm; if you further place his younger brother on the western border, all military power of the realm would be concentrated into the hands of one family—this is hardly an advisable route to ensuring stability in the country. Of course, one cannot predict talented people; just ensure that you don’t have someone who will defy you."

Sima Yu nodded and said, "It is just as you say."

On the day Renshen (October 9th), the Administrator of Wuxing, Xie Wan, was appointed as General of the Household of the West, with control of military affairs in Sizhou, Yuzhou, Jizhou, and Bingzhou, as well as being made Inspector of Yuzhou.

東晉豫州鎭江西，建康在江東，故以豫州爲西藩。司、豫、冀、幷所統，皆僑郡也。

During Eastern Jin, Yuzhou guarded the western bank of the Yangzi, while the capital Jiankang was on the eastern bank. So Yuzhou was considered the western border of the state.

The Sizhou, Yuzhou, Jizhou, and Bingzhou mentioned here were all the artificial ones.

7. Wang Xizhi wrote to Huan Wen, saying, “Xie Wan is a man of abundant talents and open communication. If he is placed in a position in the imperial court, he will surely become an outstanding character of the younger generation. But now you have him go take care of ravished lands. This is almost as though you are appointing him to the opposite of his abilities."

He is saying that Xie Wan had the talents to managing the realm, and was perceptive and insightful among his peers.

He is saying that the people who live in the border commandaries, having just survived wars, were living in great destitution and thus were wild and difficult to control. So the proper thing to do would be to tame them by appeasing them and showing them kindness. Now, Xie Wan was not that kind of talent, but he was employed in such a position. This is what “違才” refers to. With Xie Wan’s talents, he could hold his own in the imperial court, but instead he was sent to the distant borderlands. This is what “易事” means.

Wang Xizhi also wrote to Xie Wan, saying, “Sir, given that you are inclined to hold yourself to be above mundane matters, it is understandable that this matter is not to your liking, since you are now sent to be among the common people. However, the idea of being 'insightful and wise' means one should adjust his behavior according to the situation he is in. If you, Sir, share all the joys and the sorrows of your officers and your men, then you be able to accomplish much good.” But Xie Wan could not follow his advice.

言其矜高不屑軍中之細務也。

He was saying that Xie Wan held himself to be high beyond the mundane matters of running an army.

This was why Xie Wan and Chi Tan were unsuccessful when they were in office.

Some versions of the second sentence say "Xun's army adjutant" or "Xun Xian's army adjutant" instead of simply “adjutant".

Sima Guang's commentary in the Textual Analysis states, "According to the Imperial Annals, 'Xie Wan became Inspector of Yuzhou,' and it later states, 'Chi Tan became General of the Gentlemen of the Household of the North, Commander of the military affairs of five provinces, and Inspector of Xuzhou and Yanzhou.' According to the Biography of Chi Tan, 'Xun Xian became ill, so Chi Tan was appointed as his adjutant. Shortly afterwards, Xun Xian was recalled, and so Chi Tan remained as General of the Gentlemen of the Household of the North, Commander, and Inspector.' In another place in the Imperial Annals, it states, 'In the twelfth month, the General of the Gentlemen of the Household of the North Xun Xian fought Murong Jun at Shanshi, but the royal army suffered defeat.' The Book of Yan states, 'In the twelfth month, Xun Xian invaded Taishan, and killed the Administrator Jia Jian.' The Chronicles of the Book of Jin states, 'Xun Xian killed Jia Jian,' and later on, 'Xun Xian was defeated, and Shanshi was recovered.' Since Chi Tan had yet to become Inspector of Xuzhou or Yanzhou by the eighth month, I must conclude that he was first Xun Xian's adjutant."

是歲，晉將荀羨攻山茌，拔之。斬俊太山太守賈堅。俊青州刺史慕容塵遣司馬悅明救之，羨師敗績，復陷山茌。(Jinshu 110.31)

During this year, the Jin general Xun Xian attacked Shanshi, and took it. He executed Murong Jun's Administrator of Taishan, Jia Jian. Murong Jun's Inspector of Qingzhou, Murong Chen, sent the Marshal Yue Ming to relieve it. Xun Xian's army was defeated, and Shanshi was recovered.

In the ninth month, on the day Gengchen (?), Fu Jian returned to Chang'an, and appointed the Grand Commandant, Fu Hou, as Prefect of the Masters of Writing.

There was a great drought in Qin. Fu Jian cut meals and abolished entertainment, and ordered the women of the imperial household to cease using nets and fine silks. He opened up the lands in the hills and by the lakes, allowing them to be used by both the government and the public. He halted military functions and nurtured the people. Thus, the drought did not become a calamity.

永安公苻侯。師古曰：紈素，今之絹也。

This was the Duke of Yong'an, Fu Hou.

Yang Shigu remarked, "'Fine silk' is what we would now call 'thin silk'."

9. In Qin, Wang Meng received more favors and powers by the day, and this annoyed the old retainers of the imperial clan.

The Specially Advanced and Marquis of Guzang, Fan Shi, was a Di retainer who had helped Fu Jiàn in pacifying Guanzhong. He said to Wang Meng, "Will you eat the harvest that we plowed?"

Wang Meng replied, "Commissioner, it’s better to say that what you all plowed, I will soon send you to cook!"

Fan Shi angrily said, "I will see your head hanging from the gate of Chang’an, or else I am not a man!"

Wang Meng mentioned the matter to Fu Jian. Fu Jian said, "I must kill this old Di, so that the other ministers will show respect."

Later, when Fan Shi went to discuss something with Fu Jian, he got into an argument with Wang Meng in front of Fu Jian, and wished to strike him. Fu Jian, angry, had Fan Shi executed. After that, all the ministers held their breath in fear whenever they saw Wang Meng.

10. After Zhao collapsed, the generals Zhang Ping, Li Li, and Gao Chang first submitted to Yan, then went over to Jin, and afterwards submitted to Qin, receiving offices from each state, for they all desired self-preservation through remaining neutral.

Murong Jun sent Murong Ping to attack Zhang Ping in Bingzhou, he sent the Minister of Works, Yang Wu, to attack Gao Chang in Dongyan, and he sent the Prince of Le'an, Murong Zang, to attack Li Li at Pu. Yang Wu attacked one of Gao Chang's subordinates at Liyang, but could not defeat him. Li Li fled to Xingyang, while his men all surrendered. More than a hundred of Bingzhou's fortified places surrendered to Yan. Murong Jun appointed the Deputy Director of the Right, Yue Wan, as the Inspector of Bingzhou to settle the people there. Zhang Ping's General Who Conquers The West, Zhuge Xiang, and a hundred and thirty-eight fortified places surrender to Yan; Murong Jun kept them in their positions. Zhang Ping himself fled to Pingyang with three thousand men, and then asked to surrender to Yan.

李歷、高昌初降晉，張平降秦，永和七年也。八年，歷、昌降秦，是年又與張平俱降燕。苻生死後，張平又降晉，各受爵位。

Li Li and Gao Chang had first submitted to Jin, while Zhang Ping had submitted to Qin; this was in the seventh year of Yonghe (351). In the eighth year (352), Li Li and Gao Chang had submitted to Qin, and that same year they along with Zhang Ping went over to Yan. After Fu Sheng's death, Zhang Ping submitted to Jin. This was how each of these men received titles from all three states.

Li Li and Gao Chang were the Qin generals whom Yao Xiang was fighting against when Yao Chang offered him his horse to escape (352.8).

冬，十月，泰山太守諸葛攸攻燕東郡，入武陽，燕主俊遣大司馬恪統陽騖及樂安王臧之兵以擊之。攸敗走，還泰山，恪遂渡河，略地河南，分置守宰。

11. In winter, the tenth month, Jin's Administrator of Taishan, Zhuge You, attacked Yan's Dong commandary, and entered Wuyang. Murong Jun sent the Grand Marshal Murong Ke, with Yang Wu and the Prince of Le'an Murong Zang to attack him. Zhuge You was defeated and fled back to Taishan. Murong Ke recrossed the Yellow River. He took over the lands of Henan, and assigned officials to the local governments.

During Later Han, Dong commandary was administered from Wuyang. In the second year of Xiankang (277) under Emperor Wu (Sima Yan), it was awarded to his son Sima Yun as a fief, but "Dong" could not serve as the name of a princely fief, so since Dong commandary had a Puyang County, the fief was called Puyang. Later, when Sima Yun became the Prince of Huainan, the name of the commandary changed back to Dong. When the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun, seized the throne, he sent the deposed Crown Grandson Sima Zang to be Prince of Puyang, and Dong commandary once again had its name changed to Puyang. We can see from the text here that Yan had changed the commandary name back to Dong again.

Hu Sanxing presumably meant the second year of 咸寧 Xianning; Sima Yan did not have a Xiankang reign era. It may be someone else's transcription mistake.

The Records of Jin states, "Wuyang County was split off as part of Yangping commandary." Liu Xu remarked, "During Northern Wei, the province was ruled from Chaocheng County; during Sui, it was Wuyang County. During Tang, in the seventh year of Tianbao (748), its name was changed again."

12. Murong Jun wished to gather an army to conquer Qin and Jin. In the twelfth month, he sent out orders to each province and commandary to check and verify the number of men currently living in each place. Every household was to send the army all its suitable men, leaving only one to remain home, so that the rest could be conscripted. He hoped to draft an army of a million and a half men, and set a date for the coming spring for them all to gather at Luoyang.

Liu Gui of Wuyi sent in a petition, stating, "The common people are under pressure, and this conscription goes against law. This will cause the land to collapse." Murong Jun accepted this, and thus ordered only that three of every five would become soldiers. He also granted an extension on the date, and set the time for them to gather to be the following winter at Ye.

校實，檢校其實數也。法未有戶留一丁而悉發爲兵者。

校實 means to check and verify the actual numbers.

There was not yet a law permitting drafting all but one man from every household.

13. At that time, numerous military drafts and levies were being conducted in Yan, and each minister and officer sent out their agents in every direction. The roads and streets were filled with them, and the commandaries and counties had trouble accommodating them all.

The Grand Commandant and acting Palace Secretary, Feng Yi, said to Murong Jun, "From now on, except for urgent matters relating to meeting military deadlines, let them not send messengers. Let the local offices be responsible for all other matters relating to drafts and levies. Recall everyone that was sent by the ministries to inspect and hurry the local offices." Murong Jun followed his suggestion.

14. Yan's Administrator of Taishan, Jia Jian, camped at Shanshi. Xun Xiao led troops to attack him. Jia Jian had only a little more than seven hundred men, while Xun Xiao had ten times as many.

Jia Jian was about to go out to battle. His men said to him, "We are few; better to keep to the defensive."

Jia Jian said, "Even with defending, we can’t avoid death; better to go out and fight." So they went to battle, with Jia Jian leading the charge, and they killed more than a thousand of Xun Xiao's men before going back into the city.

Xun Xiao advanced to attack the city, and Jia Jian lamented, "Ever since I have bound my hair as a man, I had vowed to achieve something and make a name for myself. But at every turn I am faced with insurmountable perils. What is this, if not fate?" So he said to his men, "We are in grave danger, and no plan can extricate us. All of you may flee from here. I will remain behind and die."

The soldiers all wept and said, "If you will not leave, then we will all die with you." So they helped Jia Jian onto a horse.

Jia Jian said to them, "If I had wanted to escape, I would not have sent you away. Now I will go fight a final battle for your sake. But if my strength is insufficient to hold them off, you must hurry and flee." He thus opened the gate and went out.

Xun Xiao's soldiers surrounded the place on four sides. Jia Jian stood on his horse atop the bridge, and shot his arrows in either direction. With every twang of the bowstring, he felled another man. But Xun Xiao’s men were too numerous, and some of them went down and cut the bridge supports, so Jia Jian and his horse went tumbling into the pit. He was captured alive, and Shanshi was taken.

山茌，卽前漢之茌縣，屬泰山郡，後漢改曰山茌。茌，仕疑翻。堅欲折其鋒，使羨懼而退耳。羨進攻之，堅計窮矣。

Shanshi had been known during Former Han as Shi County, as part of Taishan commandary. During Later Han, its name was changed to Shanshi.

茌 is pronounced "shi (sh-i)".

Jia Jian wished to smash Xun Xian's vanguard and make him retreat out of fear. However, Xun Xian continued to advance, so Jia Jian's plan failed.

Xun Xiao said to Jia Jian, "Your father and grandfather both served Jin. Why do you turn your back on your homeland and refuse to surrender?"

Jia Jian replied, "Jin abandoned the Central Plains; I did not abandon anyone. Since the people had no lord over them, they had to entrust their lives to whoever was the strongest. Now that I have pledged to serve someone, how can I bow to another? Ever since I began schooling and set my own path, enduring Zhao and experiencing Yan, I have never once surrendered my ambitions. How can you be so quick to ask me to surrender?"

Xun Xiao continued to admonish him, but Jia Jian angrily responded, "Whelp, leave this old man alone!" Xun Xiao grew angry and tied up Jia Jian, leaving him exposed to the rain. Over the course of several days, Jia Jian greatly lamented and so died.

These words of Jia Jian’s should make Southland generals and ministers alike feel ashamed.

Jia Jian was saying that since he followed a teacher and began to study, he had decided to become independent. The commentator Zhuzi said, "修 means 'dried meat', and a group of ten of them makes a bundle. In ancient times, it was custom to provide the Teachers with a bundle of dried meat."

Recall that Jia Jian had not surrendered to Yan, but had been captured by them. This account was mentioned in the sixth year of Yonghe (350) in Book 98.

By calling himself ‘old man', Jia Jian was being arrogant to Xun Xian and treating him as a boy. 御 means to mind the business of someone, like one’s children.

16. Xun Xian became gravely ill, so he was recalled. Chi Tan was appointed as General of the Household Gentlemen of the North, Commander over Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Jizhou, and Youzhou, and Inspector of Xuzhou and Yanzhou, and he was garrisoned at Xiapi.

17. Yan's Prince of Wu, Murong Chui, married the daughter of Duan Mopei. By her, he had two sons, Murong Ling and Murong Bao. Lady Duan was talented but of a fierce temperament, and because of her fine lineage, she did not honor Empress Kezuhun, who bore a grudge against her because of it. Murong Jun also did not like Murong Chui.

段與慕容本抗衡之國，故自以爲貴姓。事見上卷永和十年。

The Duan and the Murong clans used to be opposing states, and that was why Lady Duan felt her name was of a high class.

Murong Jun's reasons for disliking Murong Chui were mentioned in the tenth year of Yonghe (354) in Book 99.

The Regular Attendant Nie Hao therefore slandered Lady Duan and the Prefect of the Directors of Writing of Wu (that is, of Murong Chui’s household), Gao Bi of Liaodong, saying they were practicing witchcraft, hoping to implicate Murong Chui as well. Murong Jun arrested Lady Duan and Gao Bi, and sent them to be interrogated by the Manager of the Empress’s Palace and the Commandant of Justice, but they were firm in spirit and admitted to nothing.

According to the Jin system, a princely fief had a 典書, a 典祠, and a 學官令. This was why the Murong clan also had these offices. The 典書令 was the fief's equivalent of the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing for the imperial court. The Biography of the Prince of Qi, Sima You, says, "The fief Chancellor's Chief Clerk lacked a 典書令, so he asked for one to be selected." This is the same office. During Western Jin, the 典書令 was above the Regular Attendants and Palace Attendants. After Jin retreated across the Yangzi, Palace Attendants became second to Regular Attendants, and the 典書令 held the third rank.

The beatings and interrogation were growing harsher by the day, and Murong Chui lamented their fate, and secretly sent a messenger to Lady Duan saying, "Everyone must die eventually; why continue bearing this torture? You might as well admit to the charges."

Lady Duan sighed and said, “Am I one to begrudge death? But if I falsely admit to evil and traitorous acts, then I shame my family and implicate my lord; that I cannot allow!" From then on, her responses to her interrogators became even better and better (益) articulated, and Murong Chui was able to avoid disaster, but Lady Duan still died in the prison.

Murong Chui was sent to be Inspector of Pingzhou, and he was stationed at Liaodong. He married Lady Duan's sister as his second wife. But Empress Kezuhun dissolved this marriage, and made Murong Chui marry her own younger sister instead. Murong Chui was displeased, and grew to dislike her.

引服，自引而誣服也。爲慕容垂出奔張本。

引服 means to bear witness against oneself and to admit guilt wrongly.

This was why Murong Chui later fled to Qin (Book 102, 369.20).

匈奴劉閼頭部落多叛，懼而東走，乘冰渡河，半渡而冰解，後眾盡歸劉悉勿祈，閼頭奔代。悉勿祈，務桓之子也。

18. Many of the Xiongnu chieftain Liu Etou’s soldiers rebelled against him. Afraid, he fled to the east, hoping to cross over the frozen Yellow River. When he was halfway across, the ice broke. His followers who were left behind all joined Liu Xiwuqi, and Liu Etou fled to Dai. This Liu Xiwuqi was the son of Liu Wuhuan.